Tampa Bay Partnership

Regional indicatorsthe cornerstone of the Partnership's work is the regional competitiveness report, a data-based assessment of Tampa Bay's strengths and weaknesses, compared to 19 peer and aspirational markets nationwide. Since its launch in 2017, this report has contributed to the development of common metrics and shared priorities for the Tampa Bay region, as well as the establishment of key public policy areas for the Partnership. (continued on schedule o)in 2020, the Partnership published (online) the fourth edition of the regional competitiveness report (rcr), which was released at the annual state of the region event, held virtually this year. Additionally, the Partnership produced in 2020 a regional equity report and regional equity dividend report, to complement the rcr. The organization also conducted and released multiple public opinion surveys regarding covid-19 and racial equity issues.

Transportationtransportation continues to be one of the region's greatest challenges, as the ability to provide meaningful economic opportunities and a higher quality of life to Tampa Bay residents becomes increasingly constrained by a lack of transit options and limited regional connectivity. To change that dynamic, the Partnership is working toward the creation of a regional transit system that connects Tampa Bay residents to jobs, education, healthcare, childcare and other amenities, and ensuring that everyone in the community has equal access to those connections. (continued on schedule o)in 2017, the Partnership funded a study that showed successful communities plan, implement and operate transit on a regional level. The organization has since advocated for the restructure and funding of a regional transit authority, and continues to look for ways to incentivize cooperation between county-based transportation planning organizations. Since the completion of the regional transit feasibility plan (rtfp) in 2018, the Partnership has also advocated for the successful implementation of a 41-mile regional rapid transit (rrt) project, which is now in the project development phase, as well as the Tampa Bay next interstate improvement program, which will provide both congestion relief and the dedicated guideway for a regional transit spine.in 2020, the Partnership continued work on its extensive research project that documents the linkage between improved transit and access to jobs. The Partnership has contracted with the university of Minnesota's renowned accessibility observatory to conduct this innovative research.

Talentthe 2018 regional competitiveness report revealed significant weaknesses throughout the region's talent pipeline, particularly in comparison to its peer communities. In response, the Partnership convened more than 30 ceos and senior hr executives from top employers throughout the region to dig deeper, explore national best practices, and develop an actionable plan to address the issue. (continued on schedule o)the Partnership launched Tampa Bay works, an employer-led, demand-driven, regional workforce initiative, which spun off in 2020 as its own, independent non-profit organization. Tampa Bay works established two collaboratives healthcare and manufacturing -- with employers willing to take a deep, granular approach to filling their talent pipeline. Tampa Bay became the first community in Florida to implement the u.s. chamber of commerce foundation's rigorous talent pipeline management (tpm) model, which aligns the talent supply chain with dynamic business needs. In 2020, the Partnership received a grant from jpmorgan chase to start a new program, called "upskill Tampa Bay." The initiative identifies the industries and jobs that have most negatively impacted by the pandemic and, conversely, the jobs and industries that have been most positively impacted by the pandemic. Then, the initiative uses "skills-based hiring" to identify the skills that the unemployed persons have that could be utilized in growing industries, with targeted training.