The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (EDC) is sharpening its focus on artificial intelligence, data centers and the maritime economy as part of a three-year strategy aimed at positioning the region for its next phase of economic growth. One year into the plan, the EDC is working with industry, education and government partners to strengthen workforce pipelines, attract investment and identify new opportunities in sectors expected to drive long-term job creation. A major priority is the rapidly expanding data center industry, fueled by rising demand for AI infrastructure. The EDC has studied leading markets including Loudoun County, Virginia—often referred to as the world's largest data center hub—and Atlanta, while engaging policymakers to discuss the infrastructure and workforce required to support future investment. The opportunity is significant. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, employment in the U.S. data center sector grew by more than 60% between 2016 and 2023, reaching approximately 501,000 workers. Florida is among the five states accounting for more than 40% of those jobs, while the EDC reports that Hillsborough County leads Florida in new AI job growth. Research from Georgia Tech also found that counties attracting data center developments experienced a 3.5% increase in employment, 5% growth in wages, and a 4.7% increase in the number of businesses over time. Alongside digital infrastructure, the EDC is advancing a regional strategy for the maritime economy, working with the St. Petersburg Innovation District and Tampa Bay Wave's Blue Tech Accelerator to develop workforce initiatives and identify opportunities linked to …
The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (EDC) is sharpening its focus on artificial intelligence, data centers and the maritime economy as part of a three-year strategy aimed at positioning the region for its next phase of economic growth.
One year into the plan, the EDC is working with industry, education and government partners to strengthen workforce pipelines, attract investment and identify new opportunities in sectors expected to drive long-term job creation.
A major priority is the rapidly expanding data center industry, fueled by rising demand for AI infrastructure. The EDC has studied leading markets including Loudoun County, Virginia—often referred to as the world’s largest data center hub—and Atlanta, while engaging policymakers to discuss the infrastructure and workforce required to support future investment.
The opportunity is significant. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, employment in the U.S. data center sector grew by more than 60% between 2016 and 2023, reaching approximately 501,000 workers. Florida is among the five states accounting for more than 40% of those jobs, while the EDC reports that Hillsborough County leads Florida in new AI job growth.
Research from Georgia Tech also found that counties attracting data center developments experienced a 3.5% increase in employment, 5% growth in wages, and a 4.7% increase in the number of businesses over time.
Alongside digital infrastructure, the EDC is advancing a regional strategy for the maritime economy, working with the St. Petersburg Innovation District and Tampa Bay Wave’s Blue Tech Accelerator to develop workforce initiatives and identify opportunities linked to the federal government’s renewed investment in U.S. shipbuilding.
The strategy aligns with the White House’s 2026 Maritime Action Plan, which calls for expanded investment in shipyards, maritime supply chains and workforce development, including the creation of Maritime Prosperity Zones to attract new industry.
The EDC also invited former NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad to Tampa Bay to discuss the future workforce needs of the maritime sector as regional planning continues.
The strategy builds on strong recent economic development results. During fiscal year 2025, projects supported by the Tampa Bay EDC generated 2,280 new jobs, US$275 million in capital investment, and average salaries of US$88,926—almost doubling the number of projects delivered compared with the previous year.
Recent wins include Philip Morris International U.S., which committed approximately US$50 million to establish a business solutions centre in Tampa, and Orion Edge, which relocated its headquarters from Colorado, bringing new defence and advanced manufacturing jobs to the region.
“Tampa Bay cannot wait for the future to arrive and then react to it,” said Craig Richard, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. “We must anticipate what’s coming, invest in our competitive strengths and prepare our community to seize emerging opportunities.”
By aligning investment attraction with workforce development and emerging industries, the Tampa Bay EDC aims to strengthen the region’s competitiveness while positioning it as a leading destination for AI, digital infrastructure and maritime innovation.
