North Port run poorly, say 55%

NORTH PORT -- A majority of visitors to the North Port Economic Development Corp.'s website categorize the city's economic development progress as “poor.”

The results are part of a three-question survey run by the North Port EDC on its website during December. In particular, 55% of voters rated "the city's economic development success" as poor; 36% called the success "OK"; 5% called it "Outstanding"; and 5% were unsure.

When asked if North Port is moving in a “positive direction,” 52% of voters responded "yes" and 39% answered "no," while another 9% were unsure.

Finally, 44% of voters think elected officials are making economic decisions “for the short term (election cycle),” with only 26% saying they feel officials have long-term interests in mind.

Founded last April, the North Port EDC is led by President Mimi Steger, and interim Executive Director Peter Bartolotta. The two spoke to the Business Review about their organization's progress in December (see “A New Model,” Dec. 16).