Local governments and groups have invested significantly in the area parks, schools, arts and social services that are important to many people, said Christine Robinson, executive director of the Argus Foundation and a former Sarasota County commissioner.

Robinson’s parents are among the influx of new residents, moving here last month to be with family and for the “qualify of life” factors.

“We’ve made some key investments in quality of life and now we’re getting to reap the reward,” she said.

“They’re coming whether you like it or not,” she added. “We can’t throw up gates at the end of the county. We can either prepare for it and accommodate the growth and keep our high quality of life or we could stick our head in the sand and pretend.”