Market voices: Economic development
Bill Cronin
President & CEO Pasco EDC
Workforce development and ensuring we have the talent pipeline ready for the future is going to be one of the most important things that we focus on going forward. Our metrics, not just for our organization but as an industry for economic development, are possibly going to change. There’s going to be more emphasis on social and economic mobility. Inclusion is going to remain front and center. We are also increasing the size of the pie by attracting overseas companies to come work here. We have a robust foreign direct investment program that involves a lot of proactiveness on our part.
Based on everything we’ve seen during the pandemic, the area is going to continue to attract businesses. We intend to capitalize on this interest with the launch of a very aggressive digital marketing campaign focused on all the positive aspects of doing business in the Bradenton area. So, I’m optimistic. I think that we are well-positioned as a community to address that pent-up demand by supplying the best opportunities to businesses that want a Florida location.
Sharon Hillstrom President & CEO Bradenton Area EDC
Mike Meidel
Director Pinellas County Economic Development
The vast majority of the firms we work with are privately held companies with those owners in their 50s. They want to come down here and bring their company with them or at least open a new branch. Either way, we benefit. We get quality jobs for our citizens. We are also excited about our $7.5 million grant from the Economic Development Administration to build a new 45,000-squarefoot incubator in South St. Pete. It’s designed to serve the entire Tampa Bay area and will be for a mix of tech companies as well as those in life and marine sciences.
The Seventh Avenue Archway Lights Project will be a huge priority. This is about enhancing the one-of-a-kind atmosphere that makes Ybor City unique. The other major priority will be supporting businesses in the district and getting the word out that we still have a thriving business district. Also, we need to promote new businesses. We don’t have many national franchises in the district since we want Ybor to remain unique, which is why we promote and prioritize one-of-a-kind boutique-style destinations. We very much are a small business community and we want to keep it that way. This is a big factor in why people want to come and support the district. Ybor City regularly draws a lot of visitors so we must continue to make it distinctive and create the magical experience it offers. The city’s Historical Preservation division does an amazing job upholding the authenticity of the area.
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| Invest: Tampa Bay 2021 | ECONOMY
Courtney Orr
Ybor City Development Manager Ybor Community Redevelopment Areas/ Ybor City Development Corporation
