Top 3% Best City to Start a Small Business

2nd Fastest Growing City in the U.S.

Best City for Young Entrepreneurs

About North Port, Florida

Our Mission

Learn more about North Port through the City’s Economic Development initiatives and key strategies.

Economic Development and Growth Management

“Promote sustainable growth, investment, and development to achieve a vibrant and diversified economy, offering a mixture of services and local employment opportunities.”

North Port Strategic Plan
Performance Dashboard
Market Feasibility Study
WORKFORCE

Support workforce development programs in partnership with federal, state, local, and not-for-profit organizations to influence the workforce pipeline supply.

• Encourage and support the development of local business incubation/acceleration programs.

• Support organizations including CareerSource, CareerEdge, SCORE, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and others.

RETAIL

Attract and develop a diversified retail sector within the City.

• Identify and market neighborhood commercial parcels to well-suited end-users.

• Encourage the construction of walkable mixed-use development.

TARGETED INDUSTRIES

Attract development within our targeted industries.

• Develop incentives including fast-track permitting, financial incentives, fee mitigation and a Business Response Team.

• Support existing incentives including Impact Fee Deferrals and Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption.

ORGANIZATION

Improve organizational structure and processes to increase program efficiency.

• Expand the Economic Development team.

• Stay up-to-date on current trends.

MARKETING

Market the City of North Port as a premiere location to bring business in Southwest Florida, particularly to those within our targeted industries.

• Increase awareness through inbound and outbound initiatives among developers, site selectors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.

• Grow online following on channels including LinkedIn, Facebook, and monthly newsletter.

INTERDEPARTMENTAL

Support interdepartmental initiatives that further economic development goals.

• Aid in the procurement of a public-private partner for the development of Warm Mineral Springs.

• Assist in directing infrastructure expansion towards smart growth opportunity areas.

• Market upcoming incentives, including the Fast-Track Permitting program.

• Participate in and utilize master plans for our high-yield major employment centers.

The North Port Advantage

  • 12-30 million square feet of potential buildout in major employment centers.
  • A business-friendly climate, leadership team, and local elected body that made Economic Development and Growth Management a pillar within the City’s five-year Strategic Plan.
  • Florida has the fourth largest economy in the nation, boasting pro-business state tax policies, competitive cost of doing business, and a streamlined regulatory environment.
  • Rare ecotourism assets including Florida’s only mineral hot spring (Warm Mineral Springs), over 80 miles of canals, Florida’s only state forest fully within municipal limits (Myakka State Forest), and a growing regional trail system.
  • Incentives including Impact Fee Deferrals and Economic Development Ad-Valorem Tax Exemption, as well as those available through Sarasota County and the State of Florida.
  • The lowest median age in the region of 48, representing a young, diverse, skilled workforce.
  • jA-rated county school system representing a variety of career pathways, performing exceptionally in K-12 and post-secondary instruction.