North Port business growth sparks entrepreneurship events

Entrepreneurs are increasingly choosing North Port for their operations, and a group of more than 100 converged recently in the city at the first-of-its-kind business networking event.

Nearly 160 businesses have opened their doors in the city so far in fiscal year 2024, North Port Economic Development Manager Vinnie Mascarenhas tells the Business Observer. Since the municipality’s fiscal year began in October, a steady stream of businesses has been added to the its roster, primarily in the service industry.

“People are moving here,” Mascarenhas says. “Our quality of life has a lot to do with it. It’s a safe city. It’s well located with Interstate 75. We are proximate to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world…[and] schools are outstanding. When businesses and people are looking at southwest Florida, they take a really hard look at North Port.”