In The News

Florida Ranks #1 For Innovation, Says Fast Company

Fast Company Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Florida earned the No. 1 ranking for innovation by Fast Company because of its high level of new business development, fundable venture capital rankings and annual revenue per startup.

Florida was followed by Texas and Maryland. California ranked No. 7, North Carolina ranked 25 and Massachusetts came in at 42.

Read the complete story.

Making Tampa Bay Safer For Riding Bicycles

Creative Loafing Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is making bicycle and pedestiran safety in Tampa a higher priority for his adminsitration by calling attention to designing streets that accommodate multimodal transportation options.

Part of that effort included a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of Transportaton Ray LaHood.

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Hillsborough Hack-A-Thon Attracts 97 Hackers

The Tampa Tribune Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Techies and university students jumped at the challenge to rewrite code and develop creative solutions for government data as Hillsborough County opened its data for a massive Hack-a-thon.

The idea is to get the smartest code writers and app developers to use technology to improve government services.

Read the complete story.

Florida DOT Picks Westshore For Transit Hub

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, April 09, 2013

The Florida Department of Transportation cited the amount of traffic that already converges in the Westshore business district in Tampa for identifying four sites where a future transportation hub could be built.

The idea is to pick a convenient place where mass transit vehicles -- primarily buses and possibly trains traveling on light rail -- can load and off-load passengers in the future.

Read the complete story.

Florida's Universities Expand Online Degrees

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Non-traditional college students, especially those raising children or working fulltime jobs, are finding it easier and easier to complete online degrees, thanks to Florida colleges and universities finding innovative ways to increase access via online courses and degree completion.

Online higher ed may not be for everyone, but for those who need it, it can be the only means to degree attainment.

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Florida Lawmakers Push New Online Degree Programs

The Tampa Tribune Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Bills pending before the 2013 Florida Legislature would make it easier for Florida college students to complete degrees online.

The goal is to increase college attainment as well as improve access for busy students.

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Wine By The Keg? How About An Intravenous Feed?

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Seriously -- about the keg, not the feed -- wine by the keg is common in most other states; Florida would simply be catching up under a bill before the Legislature that would allow the sale of wine by the keg and on tap in restaurants.

If you've visited Napa Valley, Willamette Valley or other wine production valleys thoughout the states, you know wine is already being processed in mega stainless steel containers, which keep the flavors, freshness and consistency of taste much better than old wooden barrels and corks.

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GED Exams Will Soon Be Offered Online

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Floridians interested in taking the GED exam to qualify for better jobs and/or higher edcuation will soon be able to take the test online, making it a bit more costly but also potentially easier for those used to working and composing thoughts on computers.

The trend toward digial already is taking place across the nation and will be required by 2014.

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Tampa Bay Leads Florida In Job Creation

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Florida's unemployment rate dropped in February with the Tampa Bay region leading the state in job creation.

Some 10,000 jobs were added in the Tampa Bay region.

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Ten Years Since Richard Florida Visited Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, April 02, 2013

It's been 10 years since the Tampa Bay Partnership and local business leaders invited Economist Richard Florida to the Tampa Bay region to talk about his book, "The Rise of Creative Class.''

Since then, a variety business and economic groups have focused on attracting and retaining talent while encouraging creatives and innovators as key elements in the new economy.

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Tampa Mayor Rallies Support For Economic Recovery

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn delivered a rousing speech touting the new economy, expanded mass transit and neighborhood improvements in his annual State of the City address.

Buckhorn chose to deliver his message to a standing room only crowd inside the historic but vacant Kress building in downtown Tampa to encourage urban reuse and rebuild of unused and underused properties.

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Investors Buy Tampa Bay Homes To Use As Rentals

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The mobility of Florida's workforce attracts all kinds of investors and the latest trend shows big-name investors from out of state spending billions of dollars on thousands of homes to turn them into rental properties.

The Tampa Bay Times takes a look at the extraordinary number of sales and what it means for access to housing in the Tampa Bay region.

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Tampa Couple Carry Out Vision For Riverwalk

The Tampa Tribune Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Elizabeth and Roger Kurz are the long-time married couple behind the marketing of the Tampa Riverwalk. They produce a newsletter and seek donors as well as get the word out about activities that engage residents to enjoy the riverfront.

The Riveralk, having taken shape over more than 30 years of planning and slow progress, now regularly features concerts, art fairs, food fairs and outdoor activities popular with all kinds of people.

Read the complete story.

Planning For Improved Highway Safety, Tampa Bay

The Tampa Tribune Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The Metropolitan Planning Organization examines the most crash-prone intersections and worst traffic congestion in the Tampa Bay region to plot strategy on making roads and highways safer.

A study makes recommendations like adding turn lanes and intentionally slowing traffic.

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Seminole Heights Eyes Possible New Walmart

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The popular Seminole Heights neighborhood may become home to Hillsborough County's newest Walmart. The corporate giant based in Arkansas is looking to expand in Florida.

Property being considered once housed a former Chevrolet dealership.

Read the complete story.

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