The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County achieved a milestone that carries deep meaning for our organization and for our community. We have been designated as an Accredited Economic Development Organization, or AEDO, by the International Economic Development Council, the largest and most respected professional association in our field.

Out of thousands of economic development organizations worldwide, only 95 hold this distinction. It is considered the gold standard in our profession.

This is not an award based on a nomination or submission. The AEDO designation is earned through a rigorous and comprehensive peer review process conducted by experienced industry leaders. It includes an extensive documentation review and an in-person site visit evaluating every aspect of our organization, including governance, funding, strategic planning, programs, performance metrics and staff expertise.

In short, it examines not just what we do, but how we do it.

For Sarasota County, this accreditation signals that your economic development organization operates at the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and accountability. It affirms that we have the structure, strategy and expertise necessary to compete at the highest level.

Over the past several years, our team and Board of Directors have worked intentionally to strengthen the foundation of the EDC. We established a clear strategic plan for 2025 through 2027. We modernized comprehensive policies and governance practices aligned with best-in-class standards. We unified our branding and implemented measurable goals. We built financial reserves within recommended benchmarks and strengthened a balanced public and private funding model supported by a growing list of private investors and strong government partnerships.

Most importantly, we have delivered measurable results.

Our recently supported business expansion and relocation projects have generated more than 83 million dollars in new taxable capital investment and are adding over 1,400 new jobs in Sarasota County. Behind those numbers are companies that received site assistance, workforce support, regulatory navigation and strategic guidance, services designed to ensure long term success and meaningful community impact.

The AEDO accreditation team specifically noted our strong leadership, credibility and stakeholder trust. That feedback matters. Economic development is built on relationships. It requires collaboration among government, business leaders, and community partners. The strength of our public-private partnership is one of Sarasota County’s greatest competitive advantages.

On a personal level, I am incredibly proud of our dedicated Board of Directors and our amazing staff. Accreditation must be maintained every three years, meaning this is not a one-time accomplishment. It represents our ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

Sarasota County deserves leadership that holds itself to the highest standards, not only in the outcomes we achieve, but in the integrity and discipline behind them.

This recognition belongs to our entire community. It reinforces what I have always believed. Sarasota County stands among the very best in the world.

Erin Silk, CEcD is the President and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County.

Economic development doesn’t just happen through large relocations or ribbon cuttings. It begins much earlier — often at a kitchen table, in a dorm room, or over coffee with a bold idea scribbled on a napkin.

If we want Sarasota’s economy to remain resilient and competitive, we must intentionally foster an ecosystem where businesses are started, supported, and sustained.

That is exactly why the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce has collaborated with the State College of Florida to launch Hustle Bar — a program designed specifically for startups, side-hustlers, and early-stage entrepreneurs. Hustle Bar is not a lecture series. It is a practical, high-impact space where aspiring business owners gain access to real tools, real mentors, and real conversations about what it takes to move from concept to revenue.

Entrepreneurship can be isolating. Many microbusiness owners are navigating cash flow challenges, marketing decisions, regulatory requirements, and talent questions on their own. Hustle Bar helps eliminate that isolation by building community. Participants connect with experienced professionals, fellow founders, and resource partners who can help accelerate growth and avoid costly missteps.

Strong economies are built on strong small businesses. In Sarasota, microbusinesses make up a significant portion of our business community. When they thrive, our entire region benefits. That is why the Sarasota Chamber remains deeply committed to providing resources beyond networking events.

Through business mentoring, educational workshops, access to capital conversations, and strategic partnerships, we are creating pathways for entrepreneurs to gain clarity and confidence. Our Think Big initiatives further support early-stage companies, while our internship programs help connect young talent to emerging businesses that need fresh energy and new ideas. At every level, we are working to ensure that starting a business in Sarasota does not mean starting alone.

Economic development is not a single strategy — it is a system. It requires leadership development, workforce training, capital access, policy advocacy, and entrepreneurial support all working together. Hustle Bar is one important piece of that broader strategy.

Sarasota’s future will be shaped by those willing to take risks, solve problems, and create opportunity where others see obstacles. Our role as a Chamber is to build the conditions where that courage is supported and that innovation can flourish. Our team led by Dan Sidler, Vice President of CareerEdge and Economic Development are here to help.

The hustle is real. So is the opportunity. And we are just getting started.

Heather Kasten is the President/CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

Pictured: This session, 'Sales Skills for People That Don’t Like to Sell' is part of the Hustle Bar program. Provided photo.

There’s a phrase we hear all the time in our community: “I have a guy/girl.”

Need a roofer? I have a guy. Looking for a lender or marketing expert? I know a lady. Pediatrician, A/C company, contractor? Let me get you connected.

It's a simple sentence; yet, it's one of the most powerful forms of marketing. Why? It’s built on trust.

At the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, we see word-of-mouth marketing every day. In a world driven by online searches and social media ads, a referral from a trusted friend or co-worker still carries the most weight. People don’t just want options; they want reassurance. They want to know who shows up, who follows through and who others confidently recommend.

That’s where Chambers and Business Alliances matter.

Networking isn’t about collecting business cards. It’s about building credibility through consistency. It's about attending events, serving on committees, supporting fellow members and showing up for your community. Over time, familiarity becomes trust. Then, trust turns into referrals.

When someone says “She’s great! I know her from the Alliance" — it's an endorsement that means more than any advertisement ever could. We know this because strong business communities don’t happen by accident. They’re built through intentional relationships. When local businesses know and support one another, opportunities grow, collaborations happen naturally and dollars stay in our region.

The strongest marketing strategy isn’t a campaign, its connection. That connection is exactly what we work to cultivate, every day, at the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.

Brittany Lamont  is the President and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance. 

Photo courtesy LWRBA.

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