Impact of Development - Summer 2008

The near stop in the development industry is painting a broad ugly brush across the Sarasota/Manatee economy.  We can sadly correlate the absence of construction cranes on the Sarasota skyline with economically strapped electricians, plumbers, masons, roofers, carpenters and all the other building trades that are impacted by the development slow down.  Look a little closer and we see many more development associated businesses also suffering. Real estate attorneys, brokers, bankers, appraisers, environmental consultants, architects, engineers - civil, structural and mechanical, land planners and of course local governments are all feeling the pinch of an eviscerated economy absent of development.  Look even deeper and we notice local restaurants that once depended on regular local support from a vibrant economy hurting and in some cases closing.  Some health care providers who helped heal injured construction workers are also seeing a steep decline in business.  These businesses and government are operated and staffed by our neighbors.  Although many citizens were frustrated by the frenzied development pace and ever changing landscapes of 2002-2006; the economic consequence of an economy absent of development is extremely painful to many people.