The Sarasota and Manatee county area is renowned as a resort destination, combining an array of cultural offerings with natural beauty. But the jewel of the Gulf Coast is also gaining worldwide recognition as a terrific place to do business. In fact, there has never been a more exciting time to live and work in this rapidly growing region, where a powerful emphasis on economic diversification is creating unequaled opportunity for people who appreciate the business- friendly environment and unparalleled quality of life. Word is getting out. Here are just a few recent area accolades:

Expansion Management ranked Sarasota/Manatee among its Five-Star Communities for Quality of Life. It was the only Florida community to receive five stars. Inc. magazine ranked Sarasota as the 3rd Best Medium-sized City in the Nation. Entrepreneur Magazine ranked Sarasota as the 8th Best City in the South. BizMiner Business Vitality Review ranked Sarasota/ Manatee as the 3rd Best Second-Tier Metropolitan Area for Business Relocations in the Nation.

BestJobs.usa and Employment Review ranked Sarasota/ Manatee as the Best Place to Live and Work in Florida. Employment Review ranked Sarasota/Manatee as the 3rd Best Place to Live and Work in the Nation. Money magazine ranked Sarasota as the Best Small City in the United States. Forbes magazine ranked Sarasota/Manatee among the Top 40 Best Places for Business and Careers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranked the Sarasota/ Bradenton area 3rd in the Nation in job growth.

The result? With more than 700,000 people in Sarasota and Manatee counties and 1,200 newcomers arriving each month, the region has become one of America’s fastest-growing job markets.