SARASOTA, Fla. — Sarasota County is promoting a new tourism initiative called "Support the 941" to boost local businesses after a series of recent hurricanes devastated the area.
With many places still in recovery and many tourists yet to return, the campaign's goal is to get locals to spend their money on businesses in their neighborhoods and throughout the county.
Sarasota's tourism and business districts, such as St Armand's, Pinecraft and the beach communities, are still struggling. Officials say as they rebuild and reopen, locals can show their support by shopping locally and dining out.
"We love shopping locally and we love Der Dutchman, we love the food and we enjoy coming. It's always a treat," Fran Dundon of Nokomis said.
After sustaining some damage to vegetation and some property, Dundon and her family said they were taking a break from hurricane cleanup.
"When we get to come out and enjoy a girls' afternoon, we pick places like this to shop and eat locally," she said.
Tourists who are still able to visit Sarasota would have to brace themselves for a different experience as several beaches are in ruins and many businesses are still closed.
"It's sad for sure, and it's not only sad for me, but for people living here," Jennifer Mandaroux, a tourist from Germany said.
Businesses in the Pinecraft community, where homeowners are focused on getting residences back in shape after Debby's floodwaters, are hoping snowbirds from the north still flock down this season.
"All of those things together make for a challenge. When you do have a retail store. You're just trying to keep people's jobs. Keep the doors open," Sarah Montgomery, a marketing manager with Der Dutchman and Carlise Gifts said.
Last year, 3 million tourists brought in around $4.2 billion to Sarasota County and sustained 35,000 jobs, according to Visit Sarasota.
The 'Support The 941' campaign is aimed at putting a spotlight on business deals and events to keep patronage up amid the recovery.
"The idea of it being the more the world can see how thriving and the vitality of our region, that people are going to start wanting to come back to Sarasota County," Hunter Carpenter with Visit Sarasota said.
"Right now if the world, on social media and across the internet, can see that Sarasota is thriving and businesses are here to welcome visitors, that's when we'll really see some numbers coming from national and international visitors," said Carpenter.
"The economic impact of our hurricane season this year is going to be very large and we don't know just yet exactly what those numbers are," Erin Silk said, Sarasota Economic Development Corporation.
"It is vitally important that these major employment areas, these business districts get back up and running as quickly as possible so that we can get our employment back to work," Silk said.
Locals like Dundon are already ahead of the plan and already have a list of regular restaurants that they go to.
"Because we live in Nokomis, we go to Sharkeys, we go to downtown Venice and of course, there's lots of places in downtown Venice, take your pick," she said.
"My message is don't be afraid to come over because yes, there are a lot of nice things to do. Still, everything is going to be OK and people are strong here," Mandaroux said.
Local businesses and residents are encouraged to take photos and videos and use #SupportThe941 in their social media posts to highlight businesses and places they go to to help spread the word.