Tropicana’s Manatee County manufacturing plant can now begin expedited plant development operations through the Florida Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). Tropicana is the first manufacturer in the state to take advantage of the program and be granted a Master Development Plan, which will guide the company’s future growth in Bradenton.  The Manufacturing Competitiveness Act was signed by Gov. Rick Scott in 2013, enabling local governments to attract, establish and maintain manufacturing enterprises by expediting permitting and development processes.

In September 2015, Manatee County was the first Florida county to establish a local development program. Earlier this month, the county commission took final action to approve the Tropicana's Master Development Plan.