july2017

118 119 print.The city changed its name to Sunrise in 1971, and experienced significant growth during the ensuing decade. As Broward Coun- tybegan pushingwest,Sunrise annexedmore andmore land,eventuallyencompassingmore than 18 squaremiles. Since that time,the Cityof Sunrise has become one of South Florida’s economicpowerhouses, built on a foundation of business,tourism,and entertainment. It’s a diverse suburban/urban communitywith an estimated population of more than 93,000–a number that’s expected to increase substantiallyover the next 20 years. This growth is due to Sunrise’s convenient South Florida location,as well as City leaders’commit- ment to creating a vibrant economic climate that continues to attract newbusinesses and upscale housing to the area. It’s progressive five-member CityCommission is helmed by Mayor Michael J.Ryan. “We are in Broward County,which is in the center of South Florida’s tri-county area -Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County,”explains Mayor Ryan. “These three counties have a combined pop- ulation of approximately sixmillion; that’s almost a third of the state’s population of 20 million residents. Sunrise is uniquely po- sitioned in the most desirable and central location in Broward County, neighboring the Everglades and just minutes from the Fort Lauderdale beach and airport. With arts, culture, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment for the entire family,we have it all!” SUNRISE, FLORIDA “From a business perspective, what makes us so attractive and one of the reasons we’ve seen such growth is because all the major transportation corridors have direct and rapid access to Sunrise,”explains CityManager Richard Salamon.“We arewithin one hour of threemajor airports and threemajor seaports.Major roadways–the Sawgrass Express- way,I-75,and I-595–all intersect in Sunrise,and all have direct linkage to the FloridaTurnpike and I-95.So,fromSunrise,you can literallyget to anywhere in the statewith ease.Thismakes us very desirable froma logistical per- spective because businesses can move people and products very easily in and out of Sunrise.” Salamon says that during the city’s first 25 years,it was focused on growing its physical footprint and infrastructure.“Now,we’re focused on developing the long- term,sustainable economic future, which for us means developing a very diversified corporate pres- ence here in Sunrise, attracting major corporations and provid- ing themwith a welcoming en- vironment in which to work.We pride ourselves on being a very