Aimee Johnson, Manager, Manatee County Economic Development

July 2026 — Invest:: spoke with Aimee Johnson, manager of Manatee County Economic Development, about the county’s evolving strategy, workforce priorities, and the importance of partnerships. “We’re taking a more holistic, proactive approach to economic development—focusing less on reacting to opportunities and more on building the kind of ecosystem that naturally attracts them,” Johnson said.

What external changes over the past year have most impacted the county’s economic development efforts?

One of the most significant shifts has been around our partnerships — particularly with the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, which has historically served as our marketing and business recruitment arm. Their role has been to prospect for companies that are a strong fit for Manatee County and bring those opportunities forward.

Last September, our Board made the decision not to renew that contract. While that was a difficult decision, it created an important opportunity for reflection. We took a step back to evaluate our priorities, the effectiveness of the partnership, and whether we were truly aligned in achieving our shared goals.

During that time, there was also a leadership transition at the EDC, which allowed for productive and collaborative conversations with their interim leadership. Together, we identified opportunities to strengthen alignment, improve communication, and better define roles moving forward.

Recently, the Board unanimously approved a new agreement with the EDC, which is a significant step forward. During the interim period, our internal team continued to respond to inbound opportunities, but as a small department, our capacity for proactive outreach was limited. With this partnership restored, we are now positioned to operate much more effectively and strategically.

How have these shifts influenced your strategy, and what recent initiatives are you most excited about?

This transition allowed us to take a deeper look at the history of economic development in the county and evaluate whether our existing strategies—particularly our target industries and incentive programs—are delivering the outcomes we intended.

We are now actively re-strategizing. That includes reassessing our target industries, identifying new sectors that align with future growth, and working with our Board to modernize our incentive framework.

One key shift is moving away from the traditional model of simply incentivizing job creation. While that approach has been widely used, it can sometimes blur the line between incentive and subsidy, and we’ve heard that concern from our community.

Instead, we are focusing on building the foundational elements that attract and sustain business growth—things like workforce development, infrastructure, and quality of place. That includes strengthening partnerships with the EDC, CareerSource Suncoast, Manatee Technical College, and SeaPort Manatee, as well as leveraging assets like the Foreign Trade Zone.

Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment where businesses want to be—not because of incentives, but because the ecosystem supports their success.

How is Manatee County approaching workforce development, particularly as Tampa Bay becomes more competitive in retaining skilled professionals?

Workforce development is fundamentally about collaboration. As a county, our role is to help guide policy and align efforts across our partners—educators, workforce organizations, chambers, and industry leaders.

We are focused on being proactive—understanding where industries are heading and preparing our workforce accordingly. We’re seeing a shift toward a smaller, more highly skilled workforce supported by advanced technology and AI, and that has implications for how we approach education and training.

Our priority is ensuring that our local education system is aligned with those needs, while also creating clear pathways into quality, well-paying jobs. We want our students to be able to graduate and find meaningful opportunities right here in Manatee County, without needing to leave the region.

What key trends are you seeing in economic development across Tampa Bay?

In Manatee County and across the Tampa Bay region, the overarching trend is really about balance. We have a strong tourism-driven economy that is directly tied to our natural environment, so preserving that character is critical. At the same time, we have to support job creation and long-term economic growth for our residents.

We’re also navigating geographic growth patterns. The western part of the county has experienced significant development, while the eastern portion remains largely rural, and there’s a strong community desire to preserve that. The challenge is ensuring growth is more intentionally distributed so that infrastructure, housing, and quality of life keep pace across the entire county.

At the same time, rapid advancements in technology, automation, and AI are changing how and where businesses operate. That’s influencing everything from workforce needs to site selection decisions.

So for us, economic development is becoming less about reacting to growth and more about shaping it—through thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and a proactive approach that ensures growth is both sustainable and aligned with the community’s long-term vision.

Technology is also changing how businesses operate and where they locate, which adds another layer of complexity. Navigating all of this requires thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and a proactive approach.

How are you working with local communities and stakeholders to ensure growth is both inclusive and sustainable?

Housing affordability is one of our top priorities. Over the past several years, we’ve experienced significant population growth, which has driven up housing costs and created challenges around accessibility.

We are focused on ensuring that there are housing options available for residents at all stages of life. That includes looking at tools to support workforce housing, encouraging infill development, and reducing pressure from urban sprawl.

The goal is not to limit growth, but to guide it responsibly—ensuring that development aligns with the needs of our community and supports long-term sustainability.

What differentiates Manatee County as a destination for businesses and investors?

Manatee County offers a unique combination of assets. We have world-class natural amenities, strong and growing residential communities like Lakewood Ranch, a vibrant agricultural sector, and emerging urban centers.

From a business perspective, our location is a major advantage. We have multimodal transportation access—including a seaport, airport, rail, and major highways—and we are centrally located within the Tampa Bay region.

This connectivity, combined with quality of life and available workforce, makes Manatee County an attractive place for both businesses and residents.

What are your key goals and priorities for the next two to three years?

Our priorities are centered on strengthening the fundamentals that support long-term growth.

That includes continuing to address housing affordability, investing in workforce development, and deepening our partnerships with key stakeholders across the community.

We are focused on building a strong, sustainable ecosystem—one where businesses can grow and residents can thrive. The reality is, Manatee County already offers an exceptional quality of life. Our goal is to support that in a way that makes economic growth both natural and sustainable.