Florida Does It Again! Economic Excellence Three Years Running

Great news for Southwest Florida! For the third consecutive year, CNBC has ranked Florida #1 in the nation for economic performance, recognizing our state's outstanding job growth, strong financial health, and thriving business environment. While Florida ranks #3 overall in CNBC's comprehensive "Top States for Business" study, being #1 in economic performance speaks volumes about the opportunities flourishing right here in our backyard.

What This Means for Manatee & Sarasota Counties

This economic strength isn't just a statistic it's creating real opportunities for families and businesses in our local market. With Florida's Gross State Product now exceeding $1.65 trillion (making us the 4th largest economy in the U.S. and 15th globally if we were a country), we're seeing:

• Strong job growth bringing new residents to Southwest Florida
• Business expansion creating diverse employment opportunities
• Real estate investment as people discover our quality of life
• Infrastructure development supporting our growing communities

The Complete Florida Advantage

Beyond our economic performance, Florida continues to offer that unbeatable combination of sunshine, beautiful beaches, and year-round outdoor living. From Sarasota's cultural scene to Manatee County's family-friendly communities, we're attracting residents who want both economic opportunity and lifestyle excellence.

Smart Tax Benefits for Homeowners

While Florida doesn't eliminate property taxes entirely, our Homestead Exemption provides significant savings for primary residence owners. You can exempt up to $50,000 of your home's assessed value from property taxes:

• First $25,000: fully exempt from all property taxes
• Second $25,000: exempt from non-school taxes

Thanks to Amendment 5 passed in November 2024, that second exemption now adjusts annually for inflation, providing even greater value starting in 2025. Sidenote the governor is trying to end property taxes for homesteaded property owners, if anything develops there, I will do an update.

Your Southwest Florida Opportunity

Whether you're considering relocating to take advantage of Florida's economic momentum or you're a current resident looking to make a move within our thriving market, the fundamentals couldn't be stronger. Our region combines state-level economic excellence with the coastal lifestyle that makes every day feel like vacation.