Florida Trend Magazine has featured Sarasota County in a custom Regional Economic Profile, highlighting the unique advantages fueling business growth and attracting new industries and top talent. Explore the virtual publication and see why Sarasota County continues to stand out.
From Beaches to Business: What Sarasota County’s Economic Profile Signals for Long-Term Confidence
Sarasota County has earned its reputation as one of Florida’s most desirable places to live, but the story doesn’t stop at beaches and culture. The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County (EDC) positions the region as a place where quality of life and economic momentum reinforce each other, supporting business growth, talent attraction, and long-term investment.
A Business Environment Built for Growth
In the EDC’s overview of Sarasota County, several themes consistently rise to the top: a fast-growing, skilled talent pool supported by in-migration, competitive operating costs, and a pro-business Florida tax environment. Add strong regional connectivity with I-75 access, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), proximity to Tampa International (TPA) and Port Manatee, and Sarasota County becomes as practical as it is inspiring.
Just as important is the “how”: the EDC describes an economic ecosystem supported by public-private partnerships and hands-on support for businesses exploring expansion or relocation.
A Diversified Economy with Targeted Industry Focus
Sarasota County is not a one-industry town. The EDC emphasizes a foundation rooted in health care, technology and creativity, paired with an intentional focus on sectors that strengthen resilience and wage growth. Their highlighted target industries include: Technology, Life Sciences, Headquarters & Financial Professional Services, Manufacturing & Logistics, and Film & Creative.
This mix matters. Diverse industry growth supports a healthier employment base, and in turn, steadier housing demand, consumer spending, and commercial development over time.
Lifestyle Isn’t a Side Benefit…It’s a Strategic Advantage
Sarasota County’s lifestyle appeal is often described as the headline, but the EDC frames it as a competitive advantage for attracting and retaining talent, from top schools and cultural depth to daily livability.
Even the county’s “by the numbers” highlights underscore why relocation trends remain strong: 0% personal income tax in Florida, an average temperature around 72°F, and 35 miles of beachfront—the kind of everyday backdrop that makes it easier for employers to recruit and for families to plant roots.
What This Means for Sarasota Real Estate
For homeowners, buyers and investors, Sarasota County’s economic narrative supports a simple takeaway: this is a lifestyle market with real economic infrastructure behind it. A county that continues to attract companies and talent, while preserving the coastal, cultural and community features people move here for, tends to sustain demand across a range of real estate, from downtown living to waterfront neighborhoods and estate enclaves.
At the Laughlin Tanner Group, we pay close attention to these underlying signals because they shape the “why” behind Sarasota’s enduring appeal: it’s not only beautiful, it’s positioned to remain competitive, connected and investment-worthy for years to come.
