Photo by Wyatt Kostygan: Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce chair Lisa Krouse speaks at the Salute to Business luncheon.

Businesses that made significant hires and investments in the community this year were celebrated at The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s annual Salute to Business, where business leaders noted that at least 1,000 new jobs and $75 million in business investments were generated by Chamber members this year. Lisa Krouse, newly installed Chamber chair for 2015-16, said the work further demonstrated the importance of a robust business community. “We will continue to help Sarasota make possibilities happen for us and the future generations who follow us,” said Krouse Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at FCCI Insurance Group.

Specific recognition was given for companies who made substantial hires and investments, as well as those passing significant milestones. In the “Hiring Our Neighbors” recognition, the event honored Hawthorne Village of Sarasota, the Tableseide Restaurant Group and The Resort at Longboat Key Club, businesses which collectively created 350 new jobs in the last 12 months. Jeffrey Mayers, general manager for The Resort at Longboat Key Club, said the company has taken its hiring seriously. “It’s important to hire the right people because they're the ones that make a difference,” he said in a video produced for the event.

In the “Investing in the Future” category, the Chamber honored Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay, which is investing $36 million toward expanding its assisted living facilities, Matter Brothers Furniture, which opened an $8-million showroom in Sarasota this year, and Sarasota Ford, which greatly expanded its Sarasota headquarters to make it a family- and community-friendly environment. “The community is only as strong as the businesses that support it,” said Matt Buchanan, general manager and operating partner.

The event also honored three companies—Herald-Tribune Media Group, Girl Scouts of Southwest Florida, and Williams, Parker Harrison Dietz and Getzen—celebrating 90th anniversaries with the “Milestone Anniversaries of Service” honor. Additionally, outgoing Chamber chair Chris Gallagher awarded the Chair’s Cup Award this year posthumously to Rod Warner, a community advocate who lobbied for years to have roundabouts adopted in local traffic networks.

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan: Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce chair Lisa Krouse speaks at the Salute to Business luncheon.