Talent Wins as Sarasota County EDC Reports Growth
Sarasota, Fla. — The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County held its first Investor Update at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, outlining the strategy and momentum behind Sarasota County’s growth.
The organization said it has strengthened its operations through a focused strategic plan, improved governance, stronger partnerships, international accreditation, and a refreshed brand.
- Regional GDP has reached $53 billion, growing at more than twice the national rate.
- Sarasota is winning the competition for talent.
- High-impact companies continue to choose and expand in the area.
The update highlighted emerging opportunities in aerospace and the ocean economy, along with a need for more shovel-ready sites.
The organization said Sarasota County’s economy is growing with intention.
Powerful Partnership launched in 2004.
| Apr 14, 2026 at 9:30 AM | Business |
North Port, FL
301 N Cattlemen Rd Suite #203, Sarasota, FL
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Sarasota County Ends Burn Ban as Drought Eases
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla.—The Sarasota County Fire Department lifted its burn ban on April 14, 2026, after the Keetch-Byram Drought Index fell below 500 for seven consecutive days, but drought conditions persist and a ban could be reinstated if rainfall remains deficient.
| Apr 14, 2026 at 5:30 PM | EMS |
Registration for 2026-27 school year now open
Sarasota County Schools says registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open, with families urged to begin the process through the Focus Parent Portal and to contact their child’s school to finalize enrollment at sarasotacountyschools.net/register.
| Apr 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM | School |
Sarasota students form anti-vaping task force.
Students in Sarasota County Schools have formed an Anti-Vaping Task Force that includes peer-led conversations and support programs such as Teens Anonymous to educate students and break the cycle of addiction.
| Apr 13, 2026 at 3:01 PM | School |
Sarasota County urges residents to register for Alert Sarasota County.
Sarasota County Emergency Services urged residents to sign up for Alert Sarasota County to receive rapid public-safety updates during emergencies by landline, cellphone, text message, email, TDD/TTY or the app, with registration at www.AlertSarasotaCounty.com.
| Apr 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM | EMS |
Sarasota County issues 9-1-1 usage guidelines
Sarasota County Emergency Services advised that 911 should be used to report a fire, to save a life or to stop a crime, and not for pranks, directions or information, with more details at SCGOV.NET.
| Apr 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM | EMS |
Sarasota County hosts Community Conversations Hurricane Preparedness event
Sarasota County Emergency Services thanked participants in this morning’s Community Conversations Hurricane Preparedness event and said it will post highlights and preparedness tips on social media as hurricane season approaches, with posts using the hashtags #SRQCounty and #CommunityConversations and linking to scgov.net/communityconversations.
| Apr 11, 2026 at 2:50 PM | EMS |
Sarasota schools partner to offer ECG screenings for student-athletes
Sarasota County schools are partnering with Who We Play For to offer ECG heart screenings for student-athletes during upcoming physical nights, ahead of Florida's Second Chance Act requirement for ninth- through 12th-grade students, with April 13 at Booker High School and April 15 at North Port High School, $20 per student, and additional sites planned in May.
| Apr 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM | School |
Sarasota County Holds Hurricane Preparedness Community Conversations
Sarasota County Emergency Services is urging residents to attend a Community Conversations on Hurricane Preparedness Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, where experts will discuss personal and home preparations and vital resources; registration is through Eventbrite at bit.ly/3RbMCck and more information is at scgov.net/CommunityConversations.
| Apr 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM | EMS |
Sarasota to host Community Conversations on Hurricane Preparedness
Sarasota County will host Community Conversations: Hurricane Preparedness on April 11 at Riverview High School, featuring leaders from Sarasota County Emergency Management, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the National Hurricane Center, with doors opening at 9 a.m., presentations beginning at 10 a.m. and registration at scgov.net.
| Apr 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM | EMS |