From BIZ941 Daily:

A Gallup and Knight Foundation study of the Bradenton area and 25 other U.S. communities has found that emotional attachment to the Bradenton MSA (which includes Sarasota and Venice) is the highest of all communities surveyed, according to “The Soul of the Community” survey. The study pinpointed the region’s social offerings (fun places to gather), openness (how welcoming a place is) and aesthetics (an area’s physical beauty and green spaces). Researchers are investigating whether emotional connection to place where one lives drives economic growth. Residents and leaders can explore the findings during a town hall meeting at 5 p.m. Oct. 8 at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Selby Auditorium. Register at www.sarasota.usf.edu/ippl or call (941) 359-4602. For complete survey findings on Bradenton, visit www.soulofthecommunity.org/bradenton.