The recent downturn in the Southwest Florida economy stands as proof that diversification beyond the traditional real-estate foundation is critical to our area’s future. The addition of high-wage, year-round, future-oriented jobs will serve not only to lessen the impact of seasonality and economic trends, but also to reduce our reliance on residential ad valorem taxes to support governmental services.

While traditional health-care services have long been a major component of local employment, the broader bioscience cluster, which includes future-oriented industry, research, education and provider services, is projected to be a major growth area in upcoming decades.