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Dear Tampa Bay Partnership Investors and Supporters:
 Like everyone else in Tampa Bay, we view the Tampa Bay Rays as a tremendous community asset, and we are determined to keep them here. We believe it is crucial that we work together to find a way to retain and grow the Rays' franchise in Tampa Bay.
Obviously, the Rays, the City of St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County have a relationship that must be addressed by those parties, and we respect that. The City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County played a pivotal role in bringing the Rays to Tampa Bay, and now our region must pull together in a collaborative, inclusive, and transparent way to ensure that the Rays remain and prosper here. We will be reaching out to all key stakeholders to understand how best to achieve this outcome.
Sincerely,
 
Gary Sasso Stuart L. Rogel
President & CEO, Carlton Fields President & CEO
2009-2010 Chair, Tampa Bay Partnership
- www.TampaBay.us
Companies looking to expand or relocate consider business cost savings as a key factor in making decisions about where to locate. The Tampa Bay Partnership and its economic development partners recently launched a new regional website that highlights the cost savings businesses in a variety of industries can experience by locating in Tampa Bay when compared to market across the country.
According to KPMG's recently released study, the Tampa Bay market is the least expensive large city in the US for doing business. KPMG’s 2010 Competitive Alternatives study measured 26 significant cost components over a 10 year planning horizon. Visitors to the site can calculate the savings and request a detailed report. The website is also loaded with lots of information about the Communities of Tampa Bay and the economic engines and quality of life features that make Tampa Bay so appealing. READ MORE.
$540,000 EDA Grant Secured for Initial Research
 One of the Tampa Bay Partnership's strategic initiatives this year is the Blueprint for Regional Economic Development to identify and grow the next generation of jobs that will build sustainable, inclusive and real prosperity.
Our first step in this region-wide collaborative effort is the "Discovery Phase" intended to conduct an in-depth analysis of our region's industry clusters and workforce. The Tampa Bay Partnership and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council were recently awarded a $540,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to begin this work on a targeted industry cluster study and a workforce skills gap study. We have selected SRI International's Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development to conduct the majority of the study to determine the region's future value-added industries and the appropriate workforce skills necessary to sustain these industries. We kicked off the work last week with a conference call involving SRI and a coalition of community, business, workforce and education partners. READ MORE.
Nearly 500 leaders from across the state attended this year's Super Regional Leadership Conference. You can access presentations, attendee lists, photos, and more on the conference website - www.TheSuperRegion.com.
 Since the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted to put the transit referendum on the November ballot, the Moving Hillsborough Forward campaign has been gaining momentum. Moving Hillsborough Forward, a political issue committee established to advocate for passage of a referendum supporting transportation, rail and road improvements throughout Hillsborough County, is creating a broad based coalition that will be made up of local businesses, neighborhood groups, community leaders, elected officials and members of the public committed to improving transportation choices across Hillsborough County. Learn more about this campaign and how you can get involved at www.movinghillsboroughforward.com.
 This week's Tampa Bay Business Pulse Survey is looking for your opinions about the Hillsborough 1% surtax for transit and roads. Voice your opinion here.
 World renowned urban planner Professor Jonathan Barnett and members of his University of Pennsylvania Urban Design Studio (Penn Design) presented the results of Connecting for Global Competitiveness: Florida's First Super Region, an in-depth study that demonstrates the potential advantages of coast-to-coast connectivity and develops a "Super Regional Strategy" for transportation and land use, economic development and workforce development, environmental sustainability and quality of life issues. Below are links to the following:
In an effort to attract more nonstop flights to Tampa International Airport, TPA’s newly formed Marketing Committee recently launched a new online marketing survey with the help of the Tampa Bay Partnership and a coalition of business and economic development partners.
READ MORE about this community rally for more direct flights and take the survey at www.FlyMeTampaBay.com.
 Our theme "Connecting" highlights the opportunities created around construction of the nation's first true high speed rail line between Tampa Bay and Orlando. This publication is our annual look at the stories shaping business and economic development in our newly expanded eight-county region.
The Corporate Guide contains short, easy to read stories on the many events, announcements and efforts that have contributed to the success of our market's continued economic growth.
This publication is shared with site selection consultants and prospective companies considering business relocation and expansion. READ MORE.
 Leaders and citizens across the state are voicing their concerns about the devastating economic impact Amendment 4 will have on our state's economy, environment and quality of life. Watch this YouTube video on Why Stuart Rogel opposes Amendment 4.
We urge you to get the facts and get informed at www.Florida2010.org.
 Twenty five leaders from throughout the eight county Tampa Bay region are participating in the 2010 Class of CEO Direct. Now in its fifth year, CEO Direct engages emerging leaders and those CEOs new to Tampa Bay in the issues, opportunities and challenges facing our region. READ MORE
 Research organizations from around the Tampa Bay region are making national headlines for their research focused on the Gulf oil disaster. USF College of Marine Science, SRI International, and MOTE Marine Laboratory, to name just a few, are at the leading edge of scientific and environmental research efforts to analyze and assess the impact of the economic and environmental crisis we face in the Gulf. Their research is helping national efforts to understand not only what is on the surface of the water but also what is below the surface, where it is, where its going and what impacts these hydrocarbons will have on the environment and the marine life short term and long term.
In addition, economic development organizations, workforce boards, small business development centers across the state are working collaboratively with state and federal agencies to identify resources and assist businesses impacted by the Gulf oil disaster. READ MORE at www.FloridaOilHelp.com.
 If you attended the Super Regional Leadership Conference, then you experienced first-hand some of the staging capabilities of the Tampa Bay Partnership's newest investor - Configurations. The "train station" theme the Configurations created for the conference helped engage and energize attendees in the sessions to move the super region forward.
Configurations is the industry leader in experiential branding communications. Configurations moves your target audience from brand awareness to brand adoption by creating programs, environments and immersive interactions that differentiate your offerings and win against your competition. Configurations is dedicated to providing you and your company with creative, strategic and tactical trade show marketing ideas. Check them out at www.configurations.net.
 Dave Sobush, CEcD, has been named Business Intelligence Officer with the Tampa Bay Partnership. Sobush has over seven years experience in research and economic development and came to the Tampa Bay Partnership from Pinellas County Economic Development where he served as Business Development Manager. READ MORE.
TBRPC Urges Tampa Bay to "Get Ready" for Electric Vehicles
 As the car industry and the federal government turn their sights on electric vehicles, cities and regions that demonstrate they are getting "plug-in ready" will attract vehicle manufacturers to launch in their area. Tampa Bay Get Ready is a regional collaboration between the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, local governments, electric utility companies, business partners, and other interested groups to prepare Tampa Bay for the roll-out of electric vehicles in the very near future. READ MORE.
"How Cool Is Your Car Pool?"
 The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) is looking for the coolest carpool in the Tampa Bay area, and the agency has launched a video contest to find it. The deadline for entries is Sept. 6, 2010. Learn more and vote for your favorites at www.coolestcarpool.com.
Connecting Florida: Transit + Florida Economy
 With the support of the ULI/Curtis Regional Infrastructure Project, the five District Councils in Florida have embarked on a statewide educational and outreach strategy targeting the integration of land use and transportation, including increased transit connectivity. Connecting Florida: Transit + Florida's Economy, released in April, lays out the case for regionally integrated transit systems and explains why transit service and compact, walkable development go hand in hand. Following assessments of transit in each of Florida's five largest metropolitan regions, brief profiles of "new transit metros" from across the United States provide models for building, organizing, and funding regionally integrated transit systems. Download the report here.
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