Officers:
Chair:  Ken Maturo
Vice Chair: Carolann Palm-Abramoff
Treasurer:  Cindy Spirk
Secretary:  Linda Williams Lambert

Board Members:
Peter Bartolotta
Joe Justice
Andy Lebo
Lawry Reid
Robert Rosenberg
Mimi Steger


What if a group of citizens could create a community forum for dialogue to occur?

What if these citizens could grow their ranks by involving others in grassroots initiatives that encourage positive community outcomes?

What if they could engage the local citizenry, government, education, business, and nonprofit organizations to work collaboratively on community projects that create positive social, economic, and quality of life changes that affect the local community fiber?

these citizens could grow their ranks by involving others in grassroots initiatives that encourage positive community outcomes? they could engage the local citizenry, government, education, business, and nonprofit organizations to work collaboratively on community projects that create positive social, economic, and quality of life changes that affect the local community fiber?

If they could, then everything else is possible!

North Port is recognized as one of the fastest growing cities in the country.  This growth creates a variety of opportunities and challenges.  Ideas that once were applicable, procedures that used to work, and programs that were good for the times may begin to feel the pressure of no longer being adequate.

Vision North Port is seeking to help North Port make the connections that so many people seem to be seeking.  Through our strategic plan developed by our board of directors, we hope to find ways to bring the citizens of North Port together, help them make connections that result in positive outcomes, and build an identity for our community that continues to change and grow.

Together we can accomplish great things -  together we can achieve anything!

Our Vision:  To be THE place where everyone loves to live, work, and play... North Port!

Our Mission:  Inspiring individuals to create a stronger sense of community!

 

The Florida Institute of Government at the University of South Florida is assisting the City with updating its Economic Development Strategic Plan. They have conducted community stakeholder interviews and facilitated three focus group meetings to determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats to economic development for North Port.

The economic conditions in the City and in the U.S. have undergone a tremendous change since the last plan was adopted in 2007. Since 2000, the population of the City increased by 152% to 57,375, while Florida increased by 17%. Current unemployment rate in North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota MSA is 8.7%. North Port has over 35% of its workforce commuting out of the county for job opportunities. Since 2007, the economy of North Port came to a screeching halt when the housing boom collapsed; however, we are now seeing some positive signs of a turn-around.

We are asking you to help guide the strategic direction North Port wants to pursue for economic development over the next 3-5 years by responding to this survey. The survey should take only 10-15 minutes to complete. It consists of key findings that we heard from community stakeholders and three focus group meetings. Your valuable input and feedback is essential to the success of the Economic Development Strategic Plan for the North Port community,  

For those who do not have personal access to the internet, we encourage you to still participate in this online survey by using facilities at either the North Port Library or the University of Florida Sarasota-Manatee North Port Learning Facility at the following dates and times:

North Port Library 
13800 S. Tamiami Trail, North Port

Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday   10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday                       10 AM - 8 PM

There are two computers available to use by non-card holders in addition to the computer lab facilities available to card holders.

University of Florida Sarasota-Manatee North Port Instructional Center
5920 Pan American Boulevard, North Port

Monday April 30   10 AM - 2 PM
Tuesday May 1     3 PM - 6 PM
Thursday May 3    3 PM - 6 PM
Friday May 4        9 AM - 11 AM

Two to three computers will be made available to the public during these hours.

Please help plan for the future and take the survey.

Survey ends on Tuesday May 15, 2012 at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.