Coverage of the work underway across Manatee County and District 2.
YourObserver
The $54 million expansion was one of several projects touted by the administration as being key to the county's future. Completed in November, the expansion added 95,000 square feet of new conference space and is expected to generate up to $40 million in economic impact in its first year.
Read moreTampa Free Press
A former law enforcement building in Bradenton has been repurposed into a sanctuary for women battling addiction and homelessness, as Manatee County officials announced the opening of the "Gateway South" shelter.
Read moreWSLR
"Keep them safe if they're not in an organized activity. There are a lot of kids, unfortunately, who are out on the streets and their parents don't even know. I spent eight years as an attorney in the child welfare system..."
Read moreHerald-Tribune
Commissioner Amanda Ballard's pitch, where she highlighted cutting $4 million from other projects to make this one happen, demonstrated fiscal responsibility and a clear prioritization of community needs.
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