Big part of county gets a new name

Stretching from the west coast of Manatee County to U.S. 301 and from the city of Bradenton to the Sarasota County line, Manatee County unveiled the Southwest District on Tuesday.

Formerly known as the Southwest Tax Increment Financing District, the Manatee Millennial Movement, or M3, presented the rebrand of the district to county commissioners on Tuesday morning.

“We realized it was really significant,” said Ogden Clark with M3. “You are looking at two-thirds of the county workforce living in the area.”

The SWTIF was created to focus on redeveloping Southwest Manatee. Much of the revenue funding the TIF is expected to come from tax receipts from new development such as Lake Flores, and that money will go toward public safety, transportation and small business projects and rehabilitation.

A new logo, which features portion of the county’s logo as well buildings that show the diversity of the area, was rolled out and says “Manatee County Southwest District.” But county officials said the Manatee County portion can be replaced with neighborhood names including Whitfield, Lake Flores, Samoset, Pride Park and El Conquistador.

“The geographic grouping of an area creates a sense of identity,” said Robert Barto with M3.

Simone Peterson, another M3 member, added: “We want to make sure that this logo is inclusive.”

After the group of millennials showed off the temporary tattoos of the logo that they were sporting, commissioners applauded their efforts.

“The logo is awesome and I can really see how this will help in years to come,” Commission Chairwoman Vanessa Baugh saud. “It will stay in this area, this district. I like how can take Manatee County out and put other neighborhoods in. I see this as a win-win.”

Also on Tuesday, the commission:

• Heard an update about the county’s Emergency Medical Services, which responded to 49,442 calls for service in fiscal year 2016.
• Heard an update about the county’s boat ramps and future improvements planned for some of the ramps in the future. The 2016 estimate for the projects has increased by nearly $3 million from the 2015 estimate. Should the county elect to not borrow money, the Coquina South Boat Ramp improvements could be delayed five additional years.
• Began the process of reviewing the county’s Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan for possible countywide changes. The commission approved changes to the Land Development Code for six urban corridors last month.

This story was originally published December 6, 2016 at 10:09 AM with the headline "Big part of county gets a new name."