Tampa has entered the national top tier for corporate headquarters.
The City of Tampa ranked No. 5 on Site Selection Magazine’s latest list of the top 10 U.S. cities for corporate headquarters, based on a nationwide survey of site selection consultants who advise companies on where to locate and expand.
It is the first time Tampa has appeared on the list, a milestone local leaders say reflects rising national confidence in the region’s business climate.
“This milestone is a reflection of the momentum our community has built together,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “We’re creating an environment where businesses thrive, families succeed and big ideas feel right at home.”
What’s driving Tampa’s rise
Site selection consultants cited several factors behind Tampa’s ranking, including a favorable tax climate, access to a diverse and skilled workforce, quality of life and a growing increase in foreign direct investment.
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“When companies choose Tampa for their headquarters, they do so because this city is welcoming, rich in highly skilled talent and supportive of the success of those who live, work and grow their companies here,” said Archie Collins, president and CEO of Tampa Electric. “Tampa’s magic is its people, followed by the exceptional quality of life this region offers.”
USF partnership and a talent pipeline strategy
The ranking lands as the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council continues to emphasize talent, research and industry targeting as the engine behind Tampa’s momentum.
Craig Richard, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay EDC, was recognized in December with the University of South Florida’s Distinguished Citizen Award, an honor for distinguished public service to Florida, particularly within USF’s service area.
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Richard said the long-running partnership between the EDC and USF has shaped Tampa Bay’s economic strategy in ways that are now showing up in national rankings.
“Since 2009, the partnership between the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, now the Tampa Bay EDC and the University of South Florida has been a cornerstone of innovation and opportunity in our region,” Richard said. “From the start, USF has been more than a partner. It has charted our course for connecting talent, research and entrepreneurship.”
Richard credited USF President Rhea Law and President Emerita Dr. Judy Genshaft with helping establish the organization and guiding its work through the years.
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He said Law chaired the EDC in 2011 and served on the steering committee for the EDC’s new strategic plan, while Genshaft, through her family’s Genspiration Foundation, made a gift to the EDC’s Foundation to fund a USF intern program designed to train future economic developers.
“USF has played a key role in the EDC’s economic diversification and strengthening of our target industries over the years,” Richard said. “This focused effort has propelled the Tampa Bay EDC to one of the top economic development organizations in the country and Tampa as the top city in the United States for foreign businesses.”
What still needs work to stay competitive
Even with Tampa’s rise, Richard said the next five years will require focus on talent retention, innovation and infrastructure investment.
“Regardless of what we’ve achieved and our rise in global and national rankings, Tampa Bay can’t afford to rest on its laurels,” he said. “Staying competitive means keeping our focus on recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent.”
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Richard pointed to initiatives such as the Tampa Medical and Research District as part of a push to grow Tampa as a hub for health innovation and said USF’s Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity and Computing will strengthen Tampa’s position as a destination for defense and security businesses.
He also emphasized infrastructure as a competitive requirement, not a nice-to-have.
“Port Tampa Bay and Tampa International Airport have made significant investments that directly affect our future competitiveness,” Richard said, adding that city infrastructure investments help preserve the quality of place that attracts companies and talent and keeps them here.
The Tampa Bay EDC’s Future Ready strategic plan, Richard said, outlines catalyst initiatives focused on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Infrastructure and Blue Technology, supported by business intelligence and economic research.
Why the ranking matters
Site selection consultants are often highly influential in corporate headquarters relocation decisions, making Tampa’s top-five placement a meaningful signal.
“Making the top five on this list is a testament to Hillsborough County’s compelling value proposition for fast-growing companies,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, chair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
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Richard said he hopes the region’s next chapter keeps the focus on keeping local talent local.
“I hope future leaders realize that our success will depend not only on how much talent we recruit to the area, but how much we retain,” he said. “We want to keep as many USF and local university and college graduates here as we can so they can build their dream careers and companies in Tampa Bay.”