Bradenton-Sarasota ranks among most entrepreneurial metros in the United States
The Bradenton area has been ranked as the second most entrepreneurial area among midsize metros in the United States, according to a new report released by CloudKitchens.
The ranking is based on the percentage of the local workforce that is self-employed. In Bradenton, which is grouped in the same metro area as Sarasota and North Port, that works out to 15.7 percent of the workforce, according to the report.
Taking the top spot as most entrepreneurial midsize metro area is Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island with 18 percent of its workers self employed. No. 3 on the list is Santa Rosa, Calif., with 15.6 percent, while McAllen, Texas, is fourth with 15.3 percent, and Asheville, NC, is fifth with 15.2 percent.
Among large metro areas, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach was first with 15.6 percent of its workforce self employed. Trailing Miami among large metros was Los Angeles, San Diego, New Orleans and Denver.
The data used in the analysis was taken from the 2017 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample.
Steve Milligan, who opened Loaded Cannon Distillery at Lakewood Ranch in July, pointed to the growth and opportunity that the Bradenton area presents.
“If you are someone like me, I am thinking that if I can get a piece of that I will be very successful,” Milligan said.
In addition to the growing population of the area, another factor is all the visitors who help make tourism the area’s largest single economic driver, he said.
Jacki Dezelski, president and chief executive officer of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, said that a number of factors come to mind about Bradenton’s ranking.
Florida metro areas are well represented in the report, which speaks well of Florida’s business environment, she said.
Other factors include the multitude of institutions of higher education that support local entrepreneurs, and technology that helps break down barriers for small businesses, she said.
“I would suggest that if you are going to start your own business that it’s worth considering that a bike ride to the beach could be 10 minutes away and the amenities of a large metro area are nearby. We have so much to offer from a quality of life standpoint,” Dezelski said.
Erina and Enrique Gonzalez recently opened Nonna’s Pizza at 7604 Cortez Road W., fulfilling a long-time dream to have a business of their own. They were attracted to their location by the neighborhood, and the fact that the eatery sits on the north side of one of Bradenton’s two corridors to the beach.
Mid-size metros are defined as those with a population of between 350,000 and 1 million.
For more information about the report, visit https://www.cloudkitchens.com/the-most-entrepreneurial-cities-in-the-u-s/.
