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SRQ DAILY Sep 26, 2016

Monday Business Edition

Monday Business Edition

"The successful completion of this historic campaign does not signal an end; rather it heralds a new beginning for Mote, and we are overcome with gratitude."

- Dr. Michael Crosby, Mote Marine and Laboratory
 

[Community]  Threats To Sarasota County's Economy
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Dr. Susan MacManus through the Florida Institute of Government at the University of South Florida conducted the 2016 citizens survey for Sarasota County. The county has been surveying citizens annually for 25 years as part of community outreach. Citizens were asked what they thought was the biggest threat to Sarasota’s economy and according to the chart, over a fourth see “traffic congestion” as the single biggest threat to the economy, followed by the “lack of industry and jobs." Together these two threats comprise 54 percent of all the responses.  

[Science]  Mote Surpasses Funding for New Facility
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Though the fundraising campaign does not end until October 29, Mote Marine Laboratory’s Ocean’s of Opportunity: The Campaign for Mote Marine Laboratory has already officially reached and is surpassing its stated goal of $50 million. Begun in January 2015, this first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign for the laboratory not only provides support for Mote’s educational and postdoctoral programs but also enables the construction of Mote’s new coral research and restoration facility in the Florida Keys.

At the existing facility on Summerland Key, Mote scientists have already contributed significantly to restoration efforts centered around threatened staghorn corals in the depleted reefs of the Florida Keys, where environmental stresses have led to massive losses. Twenty thousand coral fragments have by now been planted, but Dr. David Vaughan, executive director of Mote’s Summerland Key lab, says that with the new facility he hopes to increase that number to a million in the coming years.

“The successful completion of this historic campaign does not signal an end; rather it heralds a new beginning for Mote, and we are overcome with gratitude,” says Mote President and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby. “The momentum generated by our supporters will help propel this unique, independent institution into a new era by empowering our freedom to pursue innovative science.”

With a little over a month to go in the campaign, the $50-million goal was reached thanks to support from 23,000 donors, 12,000 of which were new. Eighty percent came from private individuals and families, with every state in the US represented, several US territories and international support. Donations came in all shapes and sizes, from the 11 gifts of $1 million or more from community members and institutions to the $3,449 raised by 13-year-old Lexi Mariash, whose company Turtle Inc., hosted a mini-golf tournament to rally support. Matched by the nonprofit Positive Tracks, the tournament brought a total of $6,898 to the effort.

Down in Summerland Key, the new coral research and restoration facility continues apace. The land has been cleared, 178 foundation piles drilled, all pile caps installed, the seawall extended and underground plumbing and electric continue to progress. Over the next few months, the crane and the concrete arrive and vertical construction is expected to begin, with an opening planned for early 2017. 

[SB2]  Incentivizing Good Growth
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

While economic development officials in the region remain concerned about long-term effects from denying a corporate tax incentive package this year, state leaders say the Gulf Coast has plenty to boast about in terms of maintaining a competitive edge. The subject was discussed at the most recent installment of SRQ’s series SB2, Good Growth: Economic Indicators. 

Joan McGill, vice president of business development for the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, said she feared the end of the Project Mulligan debate, when an incentives package was denied by Sarasota County Commissioners to lure North American Roofing’s corporate headquarters here, would create problems. “It sent a message to site consultants, which is a small group of people who do hear these things,” she said. But she added that EDC officials will hard hard to overcome any problems.

Tammie Sweet, director of GrowFL and keynote speaker at the event, said there region shouldn’t be concerned about one deal failing to materialize. “At the end of the day, it’s on to the next thing,” she told SRQ. And she noted the Bradenton-North Port-Sarasota metropolitan area ranks fifth in the state in 60th in the nation in terms of job growth for 2015, something that shows plenty is going right here.

Steve Queior, president of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, said the region has done well, but that can sometimes quell pushes for change. He noted in numerous intercity visits to growing cities, the change and evolution was precipitated by a natural or economic disaster. “We didn’t have a burning platform that some of these communities faced,” he said. Peter Straw, executive director of the Sarasota Manatee Manufacturers Association, said every business in the area did get somewhat of a wakeup call a few years ago. “Complacency is a very dangerous thing,” he said. “But the Great recession disrupted every single business in the community.”

Moving forward, Jeff Maultsy, director of economic and business development for Sarasota County, said the region still provides information on many expanding businesses from here and outside the community. The biggest asset is not incentives but talent. “We have an education system that is very attractive,” he stressed. He did note county commissioners recently issued his staff direction to explore how business sectors will be targeted with incentives in the future. 

[Launching]  McMullen Properties Launches Sarasota Office

McMullen Properties has partnered with local real estate professionals in the decision to open a Sarasota office. McMullen Properties will bring new jobs, business opportunities and community involvement by supporting many local nonprofit organizations in the Sarasota area. Sarasota was chosen by being recognized as a local community with the criteria of possessing exceptional economic growth potential as well as cultural diversity.  

McMullen Properties

[Recognition]  Children First Program Receives Grant

Children First has received a $15,000 grant from the Jerome and Mildred Paddock Foundation to assist low income families with tuition for the 2016-2017 school year. This grant will allow the local Head Start provider to extend services to more area preschool-age children and their families in need. Children First currently serves more than 600 children, ages five and under, and their families in Sarasota county each year by providing premium-quality infant and toddler care along with much more.  

Children First

[Environmental]  Manatee County Participates in Largest Coastal Cleanup

The International Coastal Cleanup is the world's largest single-day volunteer effort to remove trash from our beaches, waterways and other natural land areas. Last year, more than 18 million pounds of trash was collected by almost 800,000 volunteers. In Manatee County last year, 1,909 volunteers found 16,007 pounds of trash and 4,982 pounds of recyclable litter along 181 miles of these of types of shorelines. Manatee County plans on participating again this year for another round of coastal cleanup.  

Manatee Beautiful

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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