Yesterday, SRQ Media hosted SB2: Financial Forecast at The Francis in downtown Sarasota. The crowd gathered early to hear a keynote presentation from Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and a panel of local experts weigh in on the state of our local economy. Mr. Panuccio's presentation spanned a look back at the economic and job growth pre-recession through August of this year. With statistical information and figures for the entire state of Florida, Panuccio reported that Florida has experienced a 15% increase in private sector jobs since December 2010. Over 35,000 of those jobs were in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro area. Brining the conversation back to the local front, panelists represented local Economic Development Corporations in both Sarasota and Manatee counties, as well as real estate and new development. Sharon Hillstrom of Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, Mary Dougherty-Slapp of the Gulf Coast Builders exchange, Jennifer Taylor of The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County and Stafford Starcher of the Realtors Association of Sarasota & Manatee relayed the signs of growth in their respective fields and tools they each use to strengthen the local economy and encourage growth. Stay tuned for a wrap up of the morning’s key findings and a photo gallery on Inside the Brand.