The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County (EDC) held its board meeting and an economic development tour at North Port’s Wellen Park on Friday. Dignitaries and officials from North Port, Venice, Nokomis and Englewood were joined by local business leaders and members of the EDC to highlight efforts around regional collaboration, south county’s economic growth and the pressing need for continued recovery and resiliency following the devastation of Hurricane Ian. North Port City Manager Jerome Fletcher gave remarks at the meeting, noting that the up-and-coming master-planned community of Wellen Park serves as a gateway for people entering the City of North Port on U.S. 41. The board meeting concluded with an economic development tour of Downtown Wellen Park, where 55,000 square feet of commercial, retail and restaurant space is nearly built out in the fully leased Phase One that will begin opening in early 2023. Businesses opening in Downtown Wellen include its flagship waterfront restaurant The Banyan House, Villani & Co., Foxtail Coffee Co., Oak & Stone, Bright Ice Scoop Shop, Breakwater Home Fashions, Paint Nail Bar, Naples Soap Company, Kind Vibes Outfitters, Agility Physical Therapy, Florida Lakes Vein Center, Florida Lakes Spa, and Capstan Financial Consulting Group. The Yard, a food park and entertainment hub within downtown, will feature outdoor eateries Agapi, Atlanta Braves-affiliated Pop Dawgs, and Claw & Co., and a playground and splashpad area. An additional 300,000 square feet of commercial space is being developed along the US 41 corridor within Wellen Park for businesses including Costco, Bayside Pet Resort, Millennium Physician Group, and Casto Medical Office Building, with more to be announced. Wellen Park is also home to CoolToday Park, where the Atlanta Braves have their spring training facility and events are held year-round.