Small Business, Not Giant Corporations, Drive America, and We Need to Act Accordingly

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In a recent article, political activist Cliff Maloney argues that America’s economy should rely on its small businesses—not corporate giants—to create jobs and opportunity.  Maloney addresses the threats facing the small companies that drive America’s economy and provide nearly half of all jobs, and he challenges both politicians and voters to act. As a champion … Read more

Tampa ranks third in Florida for job growth, fueled by education, health care and manufacturing

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Group of leaders, including Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, cutting a red ribbon during the grand opening ceremony at XTEND’s U.S. headquarters, with the XTEND logo and balloon columns in the background.

Tampa added 12,700 private-sector jobs in August from a year earlier, ranking third among Florida’s metropolitan areas for job growth, according to new data from FloridaCommerce. The 0.9% increase accounted for nearly 15% of the state’s total gains. The most substantial gains came from education and health services, which added 7,600 jobs, followed by manufacturing … Read more

Applications open for $3 million disaster relief fund for independent restaurants

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Applications opened on Sept. 3 for the Independent Restaurant Coalition and Chase Disaster Relief Fund, a $3 million grant program for independently owned restaurants, bars, cafés and food trucks impacted by natural disasters within the past year. The grants can be used to cover property damage, temporary operating expenses, lost inventory and other recovery costs. … Read more

Fitch reaffirms Port Tampa Bay’s A+ bond rating, stable outlook

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Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed Port Tampa Bay’s “A+” rating on approximately $62.3 million in outstanding revenue bonds and notes, maintaining a stable outlook for the port’s financial future. The rating reflects the port’s diversified operating revenues, supported by long-term contractual agreements, stable liquidity, low leverage and a capital plan largely funded by grants and port … Read more

Successful Investors Must Reinvest in Their Communities, Says Harren Equity Partners CEO Thomas Carver

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In an increasingly complex and unequal economic landscape, Thomas A. Carver, CEO of Harren Equity Partners, is making a clear and urgent appeal to his peers in the investment world: success comes with responsibility—and that responsibility extends beyond shareholders and balance sheets to the very communities where wealth is created. In a recent op-ed published … Read more

To Save Our Economy, We Must Start With Local Government

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local government

For years, conservatives have rightly sounded the alarm on the massive waste, fraud, and abuse plaguing our federal government. Through initiatives like DOGE—the Department of Government Efficiency—we’ve exposed just how bloated and broken our federal bureaucracy has become.  And while those revelations have been invaluable in waking up Americans to the scale of the problem, … Read more

Tampa Bay law enforcement navigates infrastructure, staffing demands amid rapid regional growth

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As Tampa Bay’s population grows, so does the demand on regional law enforcement agencies. Over the last decade, counties in the Tampa Bay region have experienced substantial population increases, placing significant strain on law enforcement resources, staffing and facilities. While law enforcement may not immediately come to mind when considering an area’s infrastructure, it is … Read more

Visit St. Pete-Clearwater expands tourism marketing to Mexico

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Visit St. Pete-Clearwater has partnered with PTG Consulting to expand its tourism marketing efforts in Mexico. The partnership is aimed at increasing Mexican tourism to the region and adds to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater’s existing international representation in the U.K., Ireland, Scandinavia, Brazil, Germany and Central Europe. PTG Consulting, a travel and hospitality marketing agency with … Read more