Earlier this week, Mayor Ken Welch and other St. Pete officials gave an update on the Burg’s economic outlook over an hour-long presentation.
Luckily for you, we’re here to give you the info considerably quicker. Here are some of the numbers you need to know:
- Pinellas County has seen a population increase of 15,000 people since 2020, with St. Pete’s 48% growth the highest in the area.
- The Sunshine City’s 2.7% unemployment rate is lower than the Tampa Bay area’s 2.9%, Florida’s 2.9%, and the nationwide 3.6%.
- In 2023, there were 33,000+ construction permits issued, with a total estimated value of $1.3 billion.
- The city wants to add ~3,000 more affordable housing units in the near future.
The new Rays stadium was also a topic of discussion, with the team’s lease at the Trop set to expire in 2027. Welch voiced his confidence about the project’s timely completion. The stadium would bring St. Pete an estimated $1.4 billion in economic impact.