Spotlight On: Jonathan Lewis, County Administrator, Sarasota County
April 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Jonathan Lewis, county administrator of Sarasota County, discussed economic development, infrastructure projects, and community resilience in Sarasota County. “A lot of growth is happening organically — people want to move here simply because it’s a great place to be,” he added.
What notable job creation efforts or new business arrivals would you highlight from the past year?
Sarasota County is fortunate to have highly engaged chambers of commerce that focus not only on retaining and growing existing businesses but also welcoming new ones. Additionally, the county actively participates in the local Economic Development Corporation (EDC). These organizations, along with our municipalities, play a critical role in supporting local businesses and attracting new ones. Our role differs from that of the EDC and the chambers. While they focus on marketing the region to attract new businesses and support existing ones, our priority at the county level is ensuring the right infrastructure is in place. We work to maintain Sarasota County’s quality of life, which in turn makes it an attractive destination for businesses and residents.
As you develop your strategic plan for the year, what are some of the main priorities or challenges that need to be addressed?
Florida has always been a high-growth state, but post-COVID-19, our population growth has been even more pronounced. Official state numbers show an increase in Sarasota County of 479,000 people. Our main priorities remain focused on infrastructure demands and completing key projects. These are top priorities for our board.
For example, certain major corridors need widening to accommodate growth, and improving connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the county is essential. Additionally, after a particularly severe storm season, stormwater management has become a major concern. We’re actively planning large-scale capital projects to improve stormwater control and determining the appropriate level of funding for ongoing maintenance.
Given the intensity of last year’s storm season, what were the key lessons learned or changes planned to better prepare Sarasota for similar events in the future?
Last year was unlike anything we’ve seen before. We had four major storms that significantly impacted both the community and local businesses in Sarasota County. One of the most severe was an unnamed storm system that caused historic flooding within just a few hours, particularly affecting downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle — both critical business hubs. One key takeaway to me was the incredible resilience of our business community. Many businesses were well-prepared with the appropriate insurance, which allowed them to recover more quickly. Local organizations, including our chambers of commerce, played a vital role in supporting businesses through recovery efforts. Additionally, the county took proactive measures eliminating certain fees to assist in rebuilding efforts. Overall, it was inspiring to see both the business and residential communities come together in the face of these challenges.
You mentioned transportation and stormwater management. Are there any specific projects you can highlight?
The Board of County Commissioners has prioritized several key projects this year. One of the most significant is the expansion of Fruitville Road, a critical east-west corridor in Sarasota County. Additionally, we’re working on improving connector roads that link the southern and central parts of the county to the northern region, reducing reliance on I-75. On the stormwater side, we’re exploring large-scale capital projects, and there may be opportunities to utilize Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for significant initiatives, such as dredging canals and creeks to increase water capacity. While we hope to avoid another storm season like the one we just experienced, we’re committed to preparing for future challenges.
Given the county’s rapid growth, how do you plan to balance development while maintaining Sarasota’s quality of life and affordability?
A key challenge is ensuring access to attainable housing for both existing residents and the workforce. Rising property values have made both renting and homeownership more difficult. Since 2018, the county has taken significant steps to address these challenges by removing regulatory barriers, streamlining permitting, and supporting affordable housing initiatives. Our commission continues to explore additional solutions. Ultimately, the business community also plays a role. Employers must recognize the importance of investing in workforce housing to support the employees who keep the local economy running. As we continue growing, we’re focused on identifying the next steps to expand on the progress we’ve already made.
How is Sarasota County working with municipalities, neighboring counties, and state and federal agencies to improve the region?
Many of our major initiatives, including affordable housing projects, rely on strong partnerships. For example, we’ve successfully leveraged CDBG funding. These funds, allocated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, support low- to moderate-income housing projects. Rather than running these projects ourselves, we develop processes and select initiatives that have the most meaningful impact. These efforts often involve collaborations with nonprofit organizations, city governments, and private developers looking to increase the supply of attainable housing and support economic growth.
What makes Sarasota County stand out?
Sarasota County’s natural beauty is a major draw. With stunning beaches, waterfront views, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, Sarasota County offers an exceptional quality of life. Additionally, our property tax is among the lowest in the state. Beyond that, the county has made significant investments in preserving natural lands over the past 25 to 35 years, ensuring that the county remains a place where people want to live, work, and play. For those who work remotely, Sarasota County offers a fantastic lifestyle with access to beaches, hiking, kayaking, and outdoor recreation. Our local airport has also seen major improvements, adding numerous direct flights over the past several years. While we’re not involved in its management, the airport expansion has greatly benefited both tourism and the business community by making travel more convenient.
What are your top goals for Sarasota County over the next two to three years?
Ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth while remaining cost-effective is a priority. We are exploring solutions to manage traffic and transportation efficiently. It is now much easier to travel to and from Sarasota by airplane. While many residents used to rely on airports in Tampa or Fort Myers, Sarasota’s local airport has expanded significantly. With improved flight options, it’s now much more convenient for both business and personal travel. That’s a game-changer for our community.
Maintaining the quality of life that makes Sarasota County so desirable remains a focus. People want to move here simply because it’s a great place to be. Our job is to ensure we can support this growth within the framework of state laws and available resources. Sarasota has long been a hub for construction and trades, but we’re seeing increased interest in industries like technology and finance. More businesses in these sectors are relocating here, bringing higher-paying jobs and long-term economic stability. While the EDC and chamber of commerce take the lead on economic development, Sarasota County and municipalities play a crucial role in making sure we have the right infrastructure and policies to support this shift.
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