Tampa, FL – April 29, 2026 – The Tampa Bay Partnership Regional Research & Educational Foundation has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to support a regional initiative focused on reducing Opportunity Youth and strengthening economic mobility across Tampa Bay.
The grant is part of Duke Energy Florida and the Duke Energy Foundation’s broader commitment to supporting vibrant, resilient communities across the state.
“Supporting programs that connect young people to education and career pathways is essential to building strong, sustainable communities,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “We are proud to partner with the Tampa Bay Partnership to help create more opportunities for youth across the region and strengthen the workforce of the future.”
The funding will support research titled “Reducing Opportunity Youth in Tampa Bay: A Regional Strategy for Connection, Access, and Upward Mobility.”
The effort will deliver a comprehensive analysis of regional challenges, identify best practices, and provide actionable recommendations to better connect young people to education and workforce pathways.
Across the eight-county region, nearly 60,000 —11.35% of the youth population—are neither in school nor working, with higher concentrations in outlying counties.
“Addressing this issue is critical to strengthening our talent pipeline and advancing shared economic prosperity,” said Bemetra Simmons, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership.
Through this initiative, the Partnership will convene employers, educators, and community leaders to align strategies, scale effective solutions, and drive coordinated regional action.
Ultimately, this effort aims to strengthen alignment among workforce, education, and community partners; increase employer engagement; and build a more inclusive, resilient talent pipeline for Tampa Bay.
For more information on the Duke Energy Foundation and its initiatives, visit duke-energy.com/Foundation.
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About the Tampa Bay Partnership
The Tampa Bay Partnership is a coalition of regional business leaders joined by a shared commitment to improving the personal and economic well-being of Tampa Bay residents. Formally incorporated in 1994 and re-established in 2016 as a regional research and public policy organization, the Partnership works with the region’s top employers, along with a diverse group of government and nonprofit partners, to identify and address the toughest challenges facing our community, including transportation, talent and other emerging issues. Learn more at tampabay.org.
For more information, please contact:
Shannon Kalahar
Senior Director of Strategic Communications,
Tampa Bay Partnership
727-741-5440
skalahar@tampabay.org