Economic Growth Archives - Tampa Bay Business & Wealth

AI data centers drive new investment in turbines and power A row of server racks inside a modern data center

AI data centers drive new investment in turbines and power

Contributed Content February 9, 2026

AI’s next investment wave may run through turbines, utilities and data center real estate.

TPA approves final Airside D design, $1.528B project Rendering shows a café and dining area inside TPA’s planned Airside D concourse with seating, retail and gate access nearby.

Rendering shows a café and dining area inside TPA’s planned Airside D concourse with seating, retail and gate access nearby.

TPA approves final Airside D design, $1.528B project

Chuck Merlis February 5, 2026

The 16-gate terminal moves to final design, with construction set to go vertical this year.

Darryl Shaw files rezoning for 25-acre East Ybor site Artist rendering of a proposed mixed-use development in East Ybor City showing residential and commercial buildings across multiple city blocks.

Artist rendering of a proposed mixed-use development in East Ybor City showing residential and commercial buildings across multiple city blocks.

Darryl Shaw files rezoning for 25-acre East Ybor site

Chuck Merlis February 4, 2026

A rezoning filing advances plans for a hospital anchored mixed-use district in East Ybor City.

Why childcare matters to Pinellas employers A parent and young child sit across from each other at a table with books and a laptop during a childcare or early learning setting.

A parent and young child sit across from each other at a table with books and a laptop during a childcare or early learning setting.

Why childcare matters to Pinellas employers

Contributed Content February 4, 2026

Reliable childcare underpins workforce stability, employer retention and long-term economic health across Pinellas County.

The quiet math behind Tampa real estate Palm trees frame downtown Tampa’s skyline under a bright blue sky at sunset.

The quiet math behind Tampa real estate

Contributed Content February 2, 2026

Why valuation has become the discipline holding Tampa real estate deals together as growth accelerates.

Tampa International Airport opens nearly $6M call for artists Large pink flamingo sculpture inside Tampa International Airport terminal

Tampa International Airport opens nearly $6M call for artists

Chuck Merlis January 28, 2026

Tampa International Airport is opening a Call for Artists tied to a nearly $6M public art investment.

UTampa to build new Science Center along Hillsborough River Rendering of the University of Tampa’s planned Science Center along the Hillsborough River.

Rendering of the University of Tampa’s planned Science Center along the Hillsborough River.

UTampa to build new Science Center along Hillsborough River

Chuck Merlis January 26, 2026

UTampa will begin construction on a new Science Center along the Hillsborough River this spring.

Wing It On! to open first Tampa location amid Florida push Wing It On! showcases its signature buffalo wings, seasoned fries and dipping sauce ahead of its first Tampa franchise opening.

Wing It On! showcases its signature buffalo wings, seasoned fries and dipping sauce ahead of its first Tampa franchise opening.

Wing It On! to open first Tampa location amid Florida push

Chuck Merlis January 22, 2026

Wing It On! will open its first Tampa location in 2026 as Florida franchise growth accelerates.

Hotel ORA is approaching a new pricing phase Luxury hotel suite rendering at Hotel ORA with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Tampa at dusk.

Luxury hotel suite rendering at Hotel ORA with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Tampa at dusk.

Hotel ORA is approaching a new pricing phase

Chuck Merlis January 22, 2026

Hotel ORA is nearing a pricing inflection point as financing milestones shift leverage from sales velocity to...

Pinellas tourism hits $10B impact, funds $153M projects Aerial view of downtown St. Petersburg showing waterfront, high-rise buildings and marina, highlighting how tourism dollars support local infrastructure and growth.