S5 E11 | Heather Kasten: Powering Sarasota Forward

Sarasota is booming, but can it keep its charm while keeping up with growth? In this episode of "Money" Market, Owen sits down with Heather Kasten, President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, to unpack the real forces shaping one of Florida's most dynamic regions. From affordable housing battles and workforce shortages to hurricane recovery and explosive population growth, nothing is off limits. Heather shares how the Chamber is championing smart density, fighting for attainable housing, and creating life-changing pathways through CareerEdge. They dive into bold new initiatives like Think Big – funding internships and providing capital access to small businesses often overlooked by traditional lenders. She also reveals insights from benchmarking trips to Charleston and what Sarasota can learn from thriving cities across the Southeast. With 750 people moving to Florida every day and millions of new income flowing into the state by the hour, the stakes have never been higher. The question isn't whether Sarasota will grow – it's how it will grow. If you're a lover of Florida's Gulf Coast and want to see flourishing businesses and communities, this episode is a must-listen.   WATCH NEXT: AI, ENERGY, AND TAMPA'S NEXT BIG BOOM WITH ACCENTURE'S MANAGING DIRECTOR https://youtu.be/ZnFl6ggYY98 SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/@themoneymarketpodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ   Follow The "Money" Market Podcast here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast Website: https://moneymarketpodcast.com   The Bank of Tampa | FDIC