Economic Strength

The Tampa Bay region consistently earns top positions on a wide variety of national and worldwide lists. Recent honors are “Mega Market of the Year” in 2003, a title received for the second consecutive year from Southern Business & Development magazine. Tampa Bay led the way in job growth and the greatest capital investment by corporations.

Expansion Magazine also named the area one of the top 40 hottest real estate markets. The outlook for the immediate future is equally bright, with experts forecasting that the metro area will be the highest ranking in Florida for the absorption of available office space. New residents will also be pleased to learn that Employment Review magazine and Best Jobs USA.com ranked Tampa 12th among “America’s Best Places to Live and Work.”

The City of Tampa tied Honolulu for first place in the annual Digital Cities Award. This survey recognizes unique American cities for their innovation and progress in technology and electronic government. Even children are included in this high-tech trend. Tampa Bay ranked as the nation’s leading “youth wired” market. Other strong indicators of growth and achievement are Tampa’s inclusion on the “Top Ten” lists for manufacturing expansion or relocations, new construction, and industrial investment markets.

Four Tampa Bay firms rank among the largest contract manufacturers in the world, according to Electronic Business magazine. The region is home to some of the nation’s fastest growing firms as cited by the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500. Fueled by this enviable momentum, the Tampa Bay region is ideally positioned for continued prosperity and the ability to maintain its economic leadership.