A higher percentage of workers in Sarasota County in 2012 drove to work alone compared with 2005, and the number carpooling or walking went down, according to the 2015 SCOPE Community Report Card. The data, culled from U.S. Census Bureau data, comes as leaders focus on improving walkability and multi-modal transit options. 

Store owners on the Gulf Coast are feeling the boon of a tax-free sales holiday and pleased state leaders once again scheduled the period without sales tax to run a full 10 days. The holiday started on Friday and shoppers have been taking advantage of the savings through the weekend. “We’re expecting a week that is a bit more sane for everybody, for us and for our customers,” says Tim Holliday, co-owner of Children’s World. The tax holiday, which started Friday and runs through Sunday, exempts sales tax on most clothing priced $100 or less, most school supplies priced $15 or less and on the first $750 toward a personal computer and certain computer accessories.

For some businesses, the holiday provides a small break to customers more than a major stimulus, though business owners are still pleased. “Tax-free holidays is really for kids going back to school, and for my customer it doesn’t make or break a sale. It’s just an added bonus,” said Harmony Bens, co-owner of Lotus, a downtown fashion boutique.

For businesses like Children’s World, which sells school uniforms en masse this time of year, the tax holiday concentrates a good deal of business. “We’re already seeing people take advantage of it,” Holliday says. And parents likely would buy the uniforms regardless, it stimulates some to pick up an extra outfit, benefitting the business. Holliday was grateful for the boost, but also that the period, unlike in the last few years, runs longer than a weekend. A shortened time means the business has to deal with a lot of traffic in a short time, and this makes things more manageable just by avoiding a rush. 

Manatee County Commission: The board meets Tuesday to consider a request from Masaic Fertilizer to rezone 272 acres of farmland next to the Four Corners Mine for extraction. The meeting begins at 9am at the Manatee County Government Administrative Center in Bradenton.

Manatee County School Board: The board meets Tuesday to vote on the reimbursement of attorney fees for School Board Member Bob Gause in connection with allegations of bid tampering. Gause successfully defended against the accusations. The meeting begins at 5:45pm at the School District office. 

Manatee County Commission

Tile Outlets of America announced the hire of Gary Tuhro, Pro Services Relationship manager, who will be dedicated to personal service for builders, contractors and designers. Tuhro and Tile Outlets of America Vice President of Purchasing and Business Development Kate Spencer will be at a booth at the Building Industry Association Trade Show on Sept. 15 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. 

Tile Outlets of America

The Venice Golf and Country Club earned the award for Most Species Recorded from the first global Golf Course BioBlitz organized by Audubon International and sponsored in part by the United States Golf Association. Representatives from Audubon International were formally present the award to The Venice Golf and Country Club. 

The Venice Golf and Country Club