The
Tampa Bay Region is home to two of the
state's most populous cities: Tampa and St. Petersburg.
In the last decade, the region has become a hotspot for
high-tech company growth. It anchors one end of the Florida
High Tech Corridor, which houses more than 50% of Florida
’s high-tech companies.
Infrastructure:
Tampa Bay offers the right infrastructure needed for firms
to quickly and effectively move products, services and data.
With three seaports and airports, it is a major entry point
for domestic and international shipping. In addition, the
region is continuously updating its interstate and highway
infrastructure, spending more than $1.8 billion in new construction
and improvements (current, proposed, and recently completed).
Industry:
Home to multiple universities and colleges with prime research
facilities, Tampa Bay’s industry clusters range from
life sciences and healthcare to homeland security, avionics
and marine electronics. Tampa Bay has also been called "Wall
Street South" for the size and scope of its financial
services industry.
Workforce:
Comprised of nearly 2 million professionals and
equal to 22.2% of the state’s total labor force, the
Tampa region is rich in talent. University of South Florida
(USF) and local colleges collaborate with companies in the
development of products and services and thus are able to
graduate students that are equipped with the most practical,
industry-relevant skills and knowledge. Thus, local employers
enjoy a consistent supply of well-educated and ambitious
professionals.
Quality
of Life: Tampa Bay offers a competitive cost of
living and some of the best healthcare facilities in the
United States, including three hospitals ranked as "America's
Best Hospitals" by U.S. News and World Report. Its
urban appeal is clear: it is one of the few markets in America
with two major metropolitan newspapers and it boasts the
largest performing arts center in the southeast and the
largest science museum in the south.
The Tampa Bay Region MSAs include
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice,
and Lakeland.
Tampa Bay Region: Economic Indicators
Indicator
Tampa Bay
Population, 2006 4,080,313
Labor Force, 2006 1,985,810
Total Employment, 2006 1,920,893
Unemployment Rate, 2006 3.3%
Personal Income, 2005 ($Billions) $135.1
Per Capita Personal Income, 2005 $33,818
Number of Foreign-Affiliated Companies, 2007 292
Cost of Living Index, 2006 (U.S. Average=100) 101.5
Median Home Price, 2006 $236,833
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