Tampa Bay Business News and Top Stories

Meet Dieumerci Christel, whose journey from a refugee camp is reshaping student-teacher connections Dieumerci Christel sitting in a conference room wearing an NDSU sweatshirt while working on Enlightapp.

Dieumerci Christel sitting in a conference room wearing an NDSU sweatshirt while working on Enlightapp.

Meet Dieumerci Christel, whose journey from a refugee camp is reshaping student-teacher connections

Chuck Merlis December 9, 2025

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp, Dieumerci Christel is building Enlightapp to help schools strengthen connection and...

Fit2Run opens new store on Water Street ahead of Gasparilla Interior views of the new Fit2Run pop-up at Water Street Tampa showing apparel displays, accessories and a wall of running shoes from brands like HOKA and On.

Interior views of the new Fit2Run pop-up at Water Street Tampa showing apparel displays, accessories and a wall of running shoes from brands like HOKA and On.

Fit2Run opens new store on Water Street ahead of Gasparilla

Chuck Merlis December 8, 2025

Fit2Run has opened a new Water Street Tampa store, creating a dedicated hub for downtown runners ahead...

The man behind Water Street breaks down Gasworx Aerial view of the Gasworx construction site with cranes, new buildings and downtown Tampa in the distance.

Aerial view of the Gasworx construction site with cranes, new buildings and downtown Tampa in the distance.

The man behind Water Street breaks down Gasworx

Chuck Merlis December 8, 2025

Gasworx is turning a long-ignored part of Tampa into a walkable district that connects Ybor City with...

Iowa and Vanderbilt head to Tampa for ReliaQuest Bowl ReliaQuest Bowl logo displayed over Raymond James Stadium with the phrase Football in Paradise.

Iowa and Vanderbilt head to Tampa for ReliaQuest Bowl

Chuck Merlis December 7, 2025

Iowa and Vanderbilt will meet in Tampa on New Year’s Eve for a ReliaQuest Bowl matchup that...

For the Bay turns Tampa fandom into a family-built brand Collage featuring USF athletes wearing For the Bay gear, founders Dave and Allison Gesacion standing in front of a For the Bay mural and a close up of a cream and red Tampa Bay hat

Collage featuring USF athletes wearing For the Bay gear, founders Dave and Allison Gesacion standing in front of a For the Bay mural and a close up of a cream and red Tampa Bay hat

For the Bay turns Tampa fandom into a family-built brand

Chuck Merlis December 5, 2025

For the Bay Clothing has grown from a kitchen table idea into one of Tampa Bay’s most...

Demolition to begin for $125M mixed-use project in downtown St. Pete Three image collage showing the Gallery Haus tower, a rooftop lounge and the pool deck.

Three image collage showing the Gallery Haus tower, a rooftop lounge and the pool deck.

Demolition to begin for $125M mixed-use project in downtown St. Pete

Chuck Merlis December 5, 2025

Demolition will start soon for Gallery Haus, a $125M mixed use tower planned for downtown St. Pete.

A collage of four images showing the opening of a new innovation and experience center in South Tampa. The first image shows a ribbon cutting with executives standing in a row inside the facility. The second image shows product displays with kitchenware and housewares on modern shelving. The third image shows an open workspace with glass meeting rooms and product shelves. The fourth image shows a chef preparing food inside the center’s full test kitchen.

National firm opens South Tampa innovation center with full test kitchen

Chuck Merlis December 5, 2025

A national consumer goods firm has opened a new South Tampa innovation and experience center with a...

Is Trump’s proposed 50-Year mortgage all it’s cracked up to be? Composite image showing former President Donald Trump next to a suburban home with rooftop solar panels and a backyard pool.

Composite image showing former President Donald Trump next to a suburban home with rooftop solar panels and a backyard pool.

Is Trump’s proposed 50-Year mortgage all it’s cracked up to be?

Tatiana Zagorovski December 4, 2025

A new 50 year mortgage could open doors for buyers but also raise prices and increase long...

Modern exterior of a Fifth Third Bank branch with glass walls, green accents and a bright blue sky.

Fifth Third opens its 200th Florida branch as growth shifts south

Chuck Merlis December 4, 2025

Fifth Third’s 200th Florida branch marks a major step in the bank’s Southeast expansion and its promise...

The state of Tampa’s economy in 2025 Downtown Tampa skyline with office towers and residential buildings along the Hillsborough River under a bright blue sky.