With thriving economies, Florida and The Villages are bucking the national trend. Statewide, the unemployment rate is falling, sales are up and more stores are opening. In The Villages, more homes are coming online and more amenities are becoming available as the area continues to thrive and more people call it home. “Economic data underscores that Florida is outstripping the nation in protecting the freedoms Floridans need to do business and drive economic prosperity,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press release.
business growth
In the first quarter of 2020, Sumter County was home to approximately 2,057 businesses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By the first quarter of 2021, that number had grown to approximately 2,160 companies.
“We have a strong belief that the trend in business growth will continue,” said Frank Calascione, director of economic development for Sumter County. “As we add age-restricted and non-age-restricted residential, agribusiness, commercial and industrial projects to the local economy, we will see more capital investment and job creation with a workforce base closer to where work is done.”
New chain businesses to open in the area last year include Sportsman’s Warehouse and Earth Fare. New small businesses include Lalalu, Farmshed, Faeve Apothecary, and Island Fin Poke. BJ’s Wholesale Club and Hobby Lobby will be opening in the area in the future.
Not only is the number of businesses in the region growing, but many established local businesses are seeing their own growth.
Terry Yoder, CEO of T&D Family of Companies, a diversified construction services company that includes T&D Concrete, T&D Patio & Pool and T&D Distribution, said his businesses are growing more than ever despite the hurdles of the pandemic.
“We never missed a bar,” Yoder said. “We’ve picked up steam.”
T&D Concrete had its best year in 2021, growing about 44%, Yoder said.
For the past five years, the company has helped build 2,000 to 2,400 homes a year, he said. In 2021, T&D Concrete helped build 4,000 homes.
“Industries like manufacturing continue to grow as Florida prioritizes human development and expanding opportunities for businesses and families in our state,” DeSantis said in a press release.
T&D Patio and Pool and T&D Screen Division also posted similar business growth as T&D Concrete in 2021, and those gains continue.
When public pools were closed due to the pandemic, many local residents chose to have pools built in their backyards. “It boosted our business because people wanted to get out, and they wanted to stay safe, and they wanted to stay healthy,” Yoder said.
In the first quarter of 2020, manufacturing sales in Sumter County totaled more than $23 million, according to the Florida Department of Revenue. In the first quarter of 2022, manufacturing sales at Sumter exceeded $35 million.
“I think we’re very blessed to live in the state of Florida, and I think we’re even more blessed to have The Villages here,” Yoder said. “While the other states shut down and closed their doors, Governor DeSantis left the state of Florida’s doors open.”
Several retailers in The Villages also saw sales jump despite the pandemic.
Last year was the best fiscal year ever for the Lime Light Boutique at Lake Sumter Landing, and sales have shattered all records so far this year.
This year’s first quarter was “far better than the first quarter of 2021,” said Christine Chaloupka, owner of Lime Light.
“It’s very exciting and exciting and rewarding at the same time because our hard work has paid off,” she said.
This year’s April sales at Rustic Rose Home Accents & Gifts in Brownwood were 30% higher than any April since the store opened, said owner Rosalyn Housley. The store’s overall sales are also 30% higher than any previous year, she said.
Sales at Rustic Rose Fashion Boutique are 50% higher than any year since the store opened.
“The Villages is expanding like crazy and we’re in the perfect place,” said Housley.
employment
Florida’s unemployment rate has remained below that of the country for the past 16 months.
In fact, Florida’s unemployment rate fell 2.2% over the year to 3.2% in March 2022. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nationwide employment rate was 3.6% in early April.
5,880 jobs have been created in Sumter County in the past five years, and an additional 7,244 jobs are expected over the next five years, according to labor market analysis.
While the unemployment rate is moving in the right direction, many local businesses are still struggling to find employees.
“There are definitely challenges out there, but I’m very blessed to have the team that I do,” Chaloupka said.
Chaloupka relies on word of mouth to inform people about vacancies. It’s paying off as they recently hired a new employee who is a customer in the store.
“I thought she would be a great fit, and here we are,” Chaloupka said.
Florida added 4,500 manufacturing jobs as of March 2022, the largest growth in Florida’s manufacturing industry since May 2020, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
Yoder develops creative ways to get more work done with fewer people. One of the possibilities is the integration of new technologies.
“I had to change the way I did business,” Yoder said. “I’m not trying to take away workers. I need manpower because we’re growing… I need to get smarter, not tougher.”
To help local businesses with employment problems, the Lady Lake Area Chamber of Commerce regularly emails a listing of available positions to everyone on its mailing list.
Since November, they have been sending out job offers on Fridays every two weeks. Listings include locations at Brownwood Hotel and Spa, Clear View Optix and more.
“We noticed that many of our members were hiring staff and saw a need to connect them with the local community,” said Leslie DiCesare, executive director of the chamber.
Sumter County Economic Development is also working with CareerSource Central Florida, Sumter County Schools, Lake-Sumter State College, Withlacoochee Technical College, businesses and others to respond to labor shortages.
“If we can improve the skills of graduate seniors, we can fill some of the huge need,” Calascione said. “If we see high schools and colleges manage to refine their articulation agreements, high school students can take more college courses during their school years and then graduate with the hard skills that companies need from them.”
Staff writer Summer Jarro can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5404 or [email protected]
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