What Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County does

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County (EDC) is a nonprofit, public-private economic development organization that provides free business attraction, retention, expansion, and site selection services within Sarasota County, Florida. Its core clients are existing and prospective businesses operating in — or being recruited into — defined target verticals, including Technology and AI, Life Sciences, Film and Creative Industries, and Manufacturing/Defense Supply Chain. The organization does not develop proprietary software or technology products; instead it operates as a relationship-based intermediary, connecting client companies with government incentives, real estate solutions, workforce resources, and capital networks, and measuring its value through economic-impact metrics rather than product revenue.

The EDC is governed by a board drawn from local employers and funded through recurring contributions ("investor" commitments) from five government entities — Sarasota County, the City of Sarasota, the City of Venice, the City of North Port, and the Town of Longboat Key — alongside more than 100 private-sector investors. Services are delivered free of charge to client businesses and funded entirely through this subscription-style investor model. It operates a small core team of eight staff members and coordinates with regional support organizations including the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Suncoast Partnership to Add & Recycle Talent (SPART), CareerSource Suncoast, BRIDGE Angel Investors, and Suncoast Venture Studio to deliver wraparound support to client firms.

Its operating model emphasizes economic-impact measurement: the EDC reports facilitating $256.4 million in cumulative capital investment by client companies between 2009 and 2025, alongside job creation and workforce training outputs. In 2026 it received Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) designation from the International Economic Development Council, a formal certification of professional standards, and has continued to expand programming through initiatives such as the CEO Academy and the Sarasota Tech Council.

Name

Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County

Legal name

Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County

Website

https://edcsarasotacounty.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County is a nonprofit public-private partnership providing free business attraction, expansion, and site selection services to companies in technology, life sciences, film, and manufacturing verticals, funded by recurring contributions from five local governments and over 100 private investors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Economic Programs (9261), Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Economic Growth, Livelihoods & Private Sector Development (BPADAEAE)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business attraction support
• Site selection assistance
• Workforce development programs
• Incentive negotiation support

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarasota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Investor Contributions: The EDC is funded through investment contributions from public and private sector partners. These include government entities (Sarasota County, Cities of North Port, Venice, Sarasota, Town of Longboat Key) and private businesses that invest in the organization to support economic development efforts in the region.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County is a public-private partnership that provides no-cost economic development services to businesses and entrepreneurs, including business attraction, expansion and retention support, site selection and demographics research, market and industry research, government liaison and incentive negotiation assistance, workforce development, and a curated Business Resources Directory. It also operates targeted programs such as the CEO Academy, the Sarasota Tech Council, the Film & Entertainment Office, and the Business Continuity Planning Resource Center.

Product overview

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County operates as a unified economic development services organization offering a coordinated portfolio of programs and services. The core offering consists of business attraction, expansion, and support services delivered through specialized modules including the CEO Academy for growth-stage companies, a Business Resources Directory connecting companies to local support organizations, Market Research Services for data-driven decisions, Business Continuity Planning Resources for disaster preparedness, and Site Selection Services for identifying commercial locations. The Sarasota Tech Council serves as a focused initiative for the technology sector, while the Film & Entertainment Office provides production support services. Tax and Incentive Guidance rounds out the offering by helping businesses understand Florida's favorable tax environment. Together, these services form an integrated economic development ecosystem designed to support companies throughout their lifecycle in Sarasota County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sarasota Tech Council: Initiative showcasing the tech ecosystem, opportunities, and resources available for technology companies in Sarasota County, Florida
• CEO Academy
• Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office

Products and services

• Site Selection and Demographics Research Curated site selection and demographic research service that delivers geographic, demographic, and property data to companies evaluating Sarasota County for relocation or expansion. Targeted at corporate executives and site selection consultants.
• Market and Industry Research Market and industry research service providing data and analysis to prospective and existing businesses in Sarasota County's target industries.
• Government Liaison and Incentive Negotiation Government liaison service that connects businesses with state and county officials and supports negotiation of tax and incentive packages for projects located in Sarasota County.
• CEO Academy Executive development program for CEOs and senior leaders of local Sarasota County businesses, providing structured executive education and peer networking.
• Business Resources Directory Curated online directory that connects local Sarasota County businesses and entrepreneurs with vetted service providers and resources.
• Business Continuity Planning Resource Center Resource center providing business continuity and disaster preparedness planning tools and guidance to local Sarasota County businesses.
• Sarasota Tech Council Industry council program supporting the technology sector in Sarasota County through networking, programming, and advocacy for tech companies and workers.
• Film & Entertainment Office Services Program supporting the film and entertainment industry in Sarasota County by serving as a liaison and resource hub for production companies and creative firms.

Quantifiable outcome

• $256.4M in capital investment facilitated for assisted businesses (2009-2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Sarasota County GovernmentcoreOthersPrimary public sector partner; EDC is the designated economic development partner for Sarasota County. County provides funding and policy support for economic development initiatives.
• City of SarasotacoreOthersInterlocal partner; EDC serves as the designated economic development partner for the City of Sarasota.
• City of North PortcoreOthersInterlocal partner; EDC serves as the designated economic development partner for the City of North Port.
• City of VenicecoreOthersInterlocal partner; EDC serves as the designated economic development partner for the City of Venice.
• Town of Longboat KeycoreOthersInterlocal partner; EDC serves as the designated economic development partner for the Town of Longboat Key.
• Florida Commerce (Florida Department of Commerce)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level economic development partner providing workforce programs, incentives, and economic data. EDC collaborates on business attraction and state incentive programs.
• Select FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide economic development organization focused on business recruitment and international trade. EDC participates in joint marketing and business attraction initiatives.
• CEO Academy Partners (Pinnacle/Synovus, Economic Development Foundation, GrowFL)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Academy is a program for second-stage companies in Sarasota County. Presented by Pinnacle/Synovus, in partnership with Economic Development Foundation and GrowFL.
• 26 West Center (State College of Florida)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntrepreneurship center making technology careers accessible to students and local residents. EDC refers businesses to this resource.
• CareerSource SuncoastsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development organization connecting Manatee and Sarasota employers with skilled talent. EDC refers businesses to workforce assistance.
• Florida SBDC at University of South FloridasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides no-cost business consulting and low-cost training for existing and emerging businesses. EDC refers companies for strategic planning, market research, and access to capital assistance.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Greater Houston Partnership: Large, established public-private regional economic development organization serving the 12-county Houston region. Comparable in public-private partnership structure and core services (business attraction, expansion, policy advocacy), but operates at significantly larger scale with a much broader industry mandate.
• Metro Atlanta Chamber (Economic Development): Atlanta Chamber's economic development arm delivers site selection, incentives navigation, and industry targeting for the Atlanta metro. Comparable in services and public-private model, and competes in the broader Southeast for corporate HQ and technology relocations.
• Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce (Economic Development): Austin Chamber's economic development division conducts business attraction and expansion work for the Austin metro. Comparable in mission and structure, and competes indirectly with the Sarasota EDC for tech and life-sciences relocations evaluating multiple Sun Belt markets.

Direct peers

• Orlando Economic Partnership: Public-private EDO serving the Orlando metro region, offering site selection, incentives navigation, and industry targeting across technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. Direct comparable on services, structure, and target-industry verticals (tech, life sciences, HQ) competing in the same Florida inbound market.
• SelectFlorida: Florida's statewide public-private economic development organization focused on business recruitment, retention, and international trade. Direct peer at the state level; listed in the EDC's data as a core strategic partner for joint marketing and business attraction initiatives.
• JAX USA Partnership (Jacksonville): Jacksonville's public-private economic development organization delivering confidential site selection, incentive coordination, and industry targeting for Northeast Florida. Comparable in mission, services, and structure, competing with the Sarasota EDC for corporate relocations and headquarters relocations into Florida.
• Miami-Dade Beacon Council: Miami-Dade County's public-private economic development partnership, providing business attraction, expansion support, and government liaison services. Comparable structure and service portfolio, and a primary competitor for Latin America–linked and corporate HQ relocations into Florida.
• Tampa Bay Economic Development Council: Regional Florida EDO serving the broader Tampa Bay area (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando counties). Directly comparable in mission, public-private structure, and business attraction/expansion services, and competes with the EDC of Sarasota County for the same pool of Florida-bound corporate relocations and expansions.

Others

• Economic Development Foundation (Sarasota/Manatee partner): Sarasota-Manatee regional economic development partner identified in the EDC's data as a co-presenter of the CEO Academy program. Adjacent/partner organization rather than a direct competitor, sharing some local service territory in the Suncoast region.

Regional players

• Charlotte Regional Business Alliance: Public-private economic development organization serving the Charlotte Region (NC/SC). Comparable in structure and core services, focused on a different geography but competing for similar financial-services and HQ relocations in the broader Sun Belt market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2A-4_MpeMzfMWJjcmf06Pw
• Facebookfacebook.com/edcsarasotacounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/economic-development-corporation-of-sarasota-county
• Instagraminstagram.com/edcsarasotacounty
• Xx.com/edcsarasota

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County