The Tampa Bay Partnership, an organization focused on the economic growth and development of the region, recently revealed details of its three-year strategic plan to create high-wage jobs. The
Regional Business Plan involves local community, business and education leaders working together to create quality jobs with a focus on industry clusters including: applied medicine and human performance; high tech electronics and instruments; business, data and financial services; and marine and environmental activities.
“The four industry clusters identified currently represent more than 350,000 jobs in the Tampa Bay market,” says Stuart Rogel, president and CEO of the
Tampa Bay Partnership. “That is nearly a quarter of the region's employment base. At an average annual wage of approximately $46,000 or 19 percent higher than the region's average annual wage. With successful implemention of the regional business plan, we can grow this number to 500,000 jobs. Question is, how quickly can we get there?”
While the race is on to achieve the goal of 500,000 jobs, the partnership released its 12
th edition of its economic scorecard, which showed that the Tampa Bay area gained 24,133 jobs between the third quarter of 2010 and 2011, which is the largest jobs gain since its 2007 scorecard.
“Our top gainer was professional services, such as legal, accounting and engineering, which is encouraging as it suggests some momentum within the economy,” Rogel says. “The regional business plan will further rebound and accelerate job growth in our region.”
According to Rogel, it is important that the community get involved. The partnership has been presenting its regional business plan throughout the area to groups who wish to work on the economic initiatives and job creating opportunities.
Writer:
Kimberly Patterson
Source: Stuart Rogel, Tampa Bay Partnership
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