Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation receives $1 million TD Ready Challenge grant to support small businesses

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The Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation has been awarded a $1 million grant through the 2024 TD Ready Challenge, an initiative by TD Bank aimed at supporting nonprofits that help underserved communities. The funding will expand the foundation’s Minority Business Accelerator by launching the Empower Sustainability-Focused Accelerator program, designed to assist alumni in scaling their businesses. … Read more

David Bell Proposes Mandatory Drug Testing of Government Employees, Citing Economic Concerns

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David Bell Proposes Mandatory Drug Testing of Government Employees, Citing Economic Concerns

David Bell, CEO of a national workplace drug testing company, has called for mandatory drug testing for all government employees, arguing that the policy could address financial shortcomings and improve economic stability. Bell outlined his perspective in a recent opinion piece, linking substance abuse within high-ranking officials to wasteful spending and potential national security risks. … Read more

House Bill aims to boost financing for hurricane recovery

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U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) on Tuesday introduced the Rebuild & Save Act, legislation that would raise the cap on mitigation funds available through the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program, from 20 percent to 30 percent. Under current rules, homeowners and small business owners can add 20 percent to their SBA low‐interest disaster loans … Read more

Regions Executives: Steady growth persists amid national uncertainty

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As 2025 unfolds, economic experts at Regions Bank are closely watching how national policies and global trends will shape both the United States and Tampa Bay economies. During a recent discussion with Alan McKnight, chief investment officer, April Grajales, Tampa market executive, and Ray Hand, private wealth executive for Florida, these leaders shared insights on … Read more

FEMA cuts could drive more business to St. Petersburg flood insurance company

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St. Petersburg flood insurance provider Neptune Flood is already one of the nation’s largest, with around 227,000 customers. But if threatened cuts to the country’s top program come to fruition, that number could rise, along with the region’s heightened hurricane risks. This week, staffers at the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced hundreds of job cuts, … Read more

Hillsborough County tourism revenue tops $1 billion for consecutive third year

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Hillsborough County’s tourism and hospitality industry surpassed $1 billion in hotel taxable revenue, in 2024, marking the third consecutive year the county has reached this milestone, according to Visit Tampa Bay. Through November, the county recorded $1,052,883,894 in hotel taxable revenue, fueled by record-breaking performance during the fall. November alone generated more than $100 million … Read more

SBP to launch home program to aid hurricane recovery

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SBP, a national disaster recovery nonprofit, has plans to launch a home rebuilding program and a regional office in Tampa. Starting in January 2025, the initiative aims to assist communities in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Manatee counties, affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The program will use the Toyota Production System to build at least … Read more