Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County is the heart of Tampa Bay’s economic and cultural growth, home to leading businesses, innovative startups and community changemakers shaping the region’s future. Explore the latest business news, investments, development projects and people driving progress across Tampa, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and beyond.

Hillsborough College board unanimously backs Rays talks Conceptual rendering of Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus showing a proposed mixed-use development as stadium negotiations begin

Conceptual rendering of Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus showing a proposed mixed-use development as stadium negotiations begin

Hillsborough College board unanimously backs Rays talks

Chuck Merlis January 20, 2026

Hillsborough College trustees voted unanimously to begin formal Rays stadium negotiations.

Bavaro’s opens central kitchen on North Nebraska Exterior of Bavaro’s new central kitchen on North Nebraska Avenue used for bread, pasta and catering production.

Exterior of Bavaro’s new central kitchen on North Nebraska Avenue used for bread, pasta and catering production.

Bavaro’s opens central kitchen on North Nebraska

Chuck Merlis January 20, 2026

Bavaro’s opened a central kitchen on North Nebraska to shift catering and production out of its restaurants.

Hillsborough County to vote on $358.5M Lightning arena renovation Aerial view of Benchmark International Arena in downtown Tampa ahead of a Hillsborough County vote on expanded public funding for renovations.

Aerial view of Benchmark International Arena in downtown Tampa ahead of a Hillsborough County vote on expanded public funding for renovations.

Hillsborough County to vote on $358.5M Lightning arena renovation

Chuck Merlis January 20, 2026

Commissioners vote Jan. 21 on raising the arena renovation cap to $358.5M.

WM plans $88M recycling facility in East Ybor Rendering of Waste Management’s planned automated recycling facility in East Ybor, showing a long warehouse building with truck access and support structures.

Rendering of Waste Management’s planned automated recycling facility in East Ybor, showing a long warehouse building with truck access and support structures.

WM plans $88M recycling facility in East Ybor

Chuck Merlis January 16, 2026

WM of Florida is planning an $88 million redevelopment of its Tampa material recovery facility site in...

Tiny Tap Tavern sold after more than 70 years Exterior of Tiny Tap Tavern in Tampa with signage visible after the longtime neighborhood bar was sold.

Exterior of Tiny Tap Tavern in Tampa with signage visible after the longtime neighborhood bar was sold.

Tiny Tap Tavern sold after more than 70 years

Chuck Merlis December 29, 2025

After more than 70 years, Tiny Tap Tavern has been sold, with plans to preserve its legacy...

Why Lions World Vision Institute is moving beyond mobile care Rendering of Lions World Vision Institute’s planned Vision Health Center interior in Ybor City, showing a reception area, exam spaces and families receiving care.

Rendering of Lions World Vision Institute’s planned Vision Health Center interior in Ybor City, showing a reception area, exam spaces and families receiving care.

Why Lions World Vision Institute is moving beyond mobile care

Chuck Merlis December 28, 2025

After years of mobile screenings, Lions World Vision Institute is building a permanent vision care hub to...

Tampa healthcare facility sells for $21M Exterior of the healthcare facility at 3000 University Center Drive in Tampa

Tampa healthcare facility sells for $21M

Chuck Merlis December 16, 2025

A $21M sale highlights continued investor interest in Tampa Bay healthcare real estate

$2.6M deal completes full West Tampa block McDill Columbus Plaza at 2700 N MacDill Avenue in West Tampa

$2.6M deal completes full West Tampa block

Chuck Merlis December 16, 2025

A $2.6M sale completes a full block assembly at one of West Tampa’s key intersections.

$34.7M Fair Oaks Recreation Center opens in East Tampa Aerial view of the Fair Oaks Recreation Center in East Tampa showing solar panels on the roof and surrounding neighborhood

Aerial view of the Fair Oaks Recreation Center in East Tampa showing solar panels on the roof and surrounding neighborhood

$34.7M Fair Oaks Recreation Center opens in East Tampa

Chuck Merlis December 15, 2025

East Tampa’s $34.7M Fair Oaks Recreation Center opens as a major community investment heading into 2026.

The economic impact of the Fed’s latest rate cut on Tampa Bay A view of downtown Tampa along the river with an inset photo of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell adjusting his glasses.