Tampa City Council Member Mary Mulhern is pursuing a competitive federal grant aimed at developing high-speed corridors. The grant will likely be applied toward the expansion of the high-speed-rail project to include a stop at Tampa International Airport. The deadline for applications is Aug. 6. If future funding is available, the rail could be expanded to Miami by 2018, according to The Tampa Tribune. Read the complete story.
Cuba Standard reports that the U.S Chamber of Commerce, travel and agricultural organizations are showing support for a bill that could lift travel restrictions to Cuba which have lasted for almost 50 years.The bill, H.R 4645, would not only provided a boost for Cuba's economy, but has the potential to create $365 million in sales of American goods and create 6,000 jobs, according to a Texas A & M University study. Those jobs would result in a $1.1 billion economic impact for the U.S.Voting on the bill is expected to take place within the next month.Read the complete story.
A new gourmet market and sandwich shop in St. Petersburg is bringing customers an intimate alternative to the super-stores and chain grocers dotting the Tampa Bay region. Messineo's Market in downtown St. Pete offers items from local and national suppliers including artisan bread, produce, dry goods, hormone-free and naturally raised chicken and beef, and fresh seafood.Owner Jim Mason hopes to eventually have online shopping available so customers will be able to place orders for sandwich and grocery delivery, according to Creative Loafing Tampa.Read the complete story.
Florida is on the verge of becoming one of the country's next "super regions," and the creation of the high-speed rail project could be the catalyst. St. Petersburg Times staff writer Robert Trigaux recently sat down with University of Pennsylvania professor and researcher Jonathan Barnett to discuss the future of Tampa as a "super region." Other emerging super regions across the country include Birmingham to Atlanta to Charlotte to Richmond and San Francisco to San Diego. Professor Barnett believes Florida's super region will resemble an "H"--Tallahassee, Tampa, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando and Jacksonville-- with Interstate-4 connecting each coast. Read the complete story.
Looking to give your car a rest for a more economical and environmentally friendly mode of exploration this summer? The area's biggest cycling buffs have a few suggestions for you. Check out their favorite groups, hot spots, trails, roads and neighborhoods to discover on your own two wheels.
The "Get Ready Tampa Bay" initiative offers Tampa Bay residents a glimpse into the future of transportation: electric cars. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council is working in collaboration with local governments and other businesses to promote electric cars. Read the complete story.
Microsoft Tags are coming to Lakewood Ranch. The technology, introduced at Las Vegas' Consumer Electronics Show in Jan. 2009, allows consumers to scan tags placed outside a building and download information to their phone. For example, the tags would allow consumers to read the menu of a restaurant from the parking lot or watch the trailer to a film from the movie theater parking lot. Read the complete story.
The latest issue of Sarasota Magazine features six Tampa Bay Area athletes discussing their personal fitness challenges and diet tips for readers. The featured athletes include Rob Butcher, executive director of U.S Masters Swimming; Reinaldo Brenes, IMG Academy soccer captain; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones; Bruce Smith, key adviser to Sarasota's community rowing program; and U.S Olympic 2010 figure skating pair Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig. Read the complete story.
Florida's five-year strategic plan to spur economic growth and global competitiveness has been delivered in the form of the Roadmap to Florida's Future.The Roadmap is a plan mandated by the Legislature to "transform Florida into a leader in the 21st century innovation economy."The Enterprise Florida board of directors make and submit the plans to the Governor and Legislative leaders every three years to encourage new perspectives to come forth.Recommendations from the Roadmap include increase support for foreign language skills at an early age, continued support of arts education, maintaining and expanding on Florida's international trade, and supporting initiatives like the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.Read the complete report.
Florida will receive $3.46 million in on-the-job training grants as part of 2009's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Money will go toward training workers with new skill sets and act as encouragement for business owners to hire employees, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Grants totaling $75 million will be awarded to 41 states, the District of Columbia and three Native American tribes. Read the complete story.
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