Tampa Bay Economic Development Council named Top International Economic Development Organization

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The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council was honored with the International Economic Development Council’s Gold Economic Development Organization of the Year Excellence Award for 2023, in the large market category (population greater than 500,000). The award was announced at the IEDC’s Annual Conference, in Dallas, which recognizes economic development organizations that have demonstrated evidence of … Read more

Leaders of two downtown partnerships are learning from each to create a ‘downtown for all’ 

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Collaboration is brought up a lot when speaking to various economic development entities, either the lack thereof or the presence of it, and its benefits.  So what happens when two leaders of economic development entities, across a bay from one another, become friends and work together to benefit their respective communities? A lot of progress. … Read more

Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance launches survey about regional MPO

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The Tampa Bay Partnership is working to raise community awareness of a community survey regarding the potential for a regional Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance has created a five-minute community survey to obtain feedback from residents from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Maximum engagement in the Community Survey is critical to … Read more

Dupré Logistics acquires St. Petersburg-based logistics company

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Dupré Logistics, a Louisiana-based transportation company, has acquired Interstate Transport, a logistics company based in St. Petersburg. Dupré Logistics is a privately held transportation company that provides logistics solutions through its three business divisions, Onsite and Private Fleet Services, Strategic Capacity Brokerage Services and Energy Distribution Services. Interstate Transport, which has been in business for … Read more

Google invests in Tampa Bay EDC by donating to Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation

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Google has joined the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council as a Chairman’s Council Investor. In addition, Google donated $20,000 to the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation, an affiliate nonprofit organization of the Tampa Bay EDC, according to a statement. Among its initiatives is CertUp, a career awareness campaign that promotes short-term and certificate degree programs … Read more

Keeping the water flowing: How local entities are combating the growing population’s growing demand for water

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It’s often an afterthought. You turn on the faucet and water comes out, a seemingly endless supply of it. Clean and ready for showering, drinking or cooking.  It keeps your grass looking lush during the dry months and rinses away the layers of pollen when everything blooms and covers our cars in that green hue. … Read more

Dimmitt Chevrolet is now operating 100 percent solar (PHOTOS)

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Dimmitt Chevrolet, in Clearwater, has converted its entire 13-acre facility to operating, fully on solar power. The yearlong project was completed in December, and has now undergone a commissioning process with Duke Energy that allowed connection to the grid and its network, according to a statement. “When considering the positive impact on the environment and … Read more

Breaking the cycle of poverty with every set of keys

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Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has hit another milestone. On Friday, the organization celebrated its 800th home dedication ceremony, in St. Petersburg. It’s a meaningful one for Habitat’s chief executive officer, Mike Sutton, who has been with the organization since 2014. His first home dedication was no. 280. “Every one of … Read more

Economic Development 2023: The business of tourism

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In 2022, Hillsborough County tourist development tax numbers (also known as the “bed tax,” which is a fee collected by the county for each night someone rents a hotel room) broke records as November totaled $5.76 million, a 46.2% increase over the previous November. This was the best in the county’s history, according to the … Read more