The creation of reputable jobs in the region will be the focus of both candidates now running to represent District 1 on the Sarasota County Commission. Democrat Fredd Atkins and Republican Mike Moran both want to foster growth in sectors of the economy beyond development and hospitality. The details on how to achieve this though, will likely be debated intensely between now and November. 

Atkins, a former Sarasota City Commissioner, argues an overly agreeable county commission has focused too much on allowing housing development to expand into areas once off-limits. He fears that if there is too much focus on construction as an employer, the county will eventually run out of places to build and see a crash with all the related secondary industries. He would rather see more light industry and high-tech sector employers find their way to success here. “Sarasota County is a big enough county that we can have several industries,” Atkins said. He also feels the county is missing an opportunity to encourage companies built around supporting aging, and while efforts like the Institute for the Ages folded, the possibilities for success remain. “It wasn’t the dream people didn’t support. It was the people that initiated it,” he said. “The idea is still admirable.” 

Moran, former member of the Sarasota County Planning Commission, feels government leaders need to hear and then heed the advice of successful entrepreneurs who gravitate to this region. “It is not the government’s job to create jobs, but I feel they can create an environment that can be good or bad for the business community,” Moran said. The candidate also stressed the need for long-term careers, not just low-wage jobs, to be created here so that young people attending our schools and colleges don’t move elsewhere upon graduation. He wants to see a stronger relationship between county leaders and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, and credited efforts by that agency in attracting the University of Florida to open its first Innovation State, an extension of the school’s College of Engineering here in Sarasota. “That was a humungous start, and at a minimum, it is spurring a conversation between county leaders, the EDC, philanthropists and the educational system,” he said.

Atkins has been actively collecting signatures to get placed on the ballot and is about three-quarters of the way toward qualifying. “It’s coming along very well,” he said. Moran has elected to pay the qualification fee, and is spending this time meeting with voters.”I’d like to spend this time getting my message out,” he said.

Right now, Moran and Atkins are the only candidates filed for Sarasota County Commission District 1. The countywide election is scheduled for Nov. 8.