09.05.2023

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Today’s Forecast

We’re Milken this win

Is your city one of Milken Institute’s best-performing cities?

We’re sure this upcoming year will be as newsy as ever. | Photo via @growgavan

Curious exactly how strong our city’s economy is? A nonprofit think tank called The Milken Institute released its “Best-Performing Cities of 2023 Index” which provides an objective evaluation of the economic performance and resiliency of over 400 US cities.

How the ranking is determined

The Milken Institute ranks cities based on 12 indicators of economic growth and access to opportunities — namely, employment + wages, technology, housing affordability, broadband access, and GDP growth. (Did you know? GDP stands for “gross domestic product” — or the final value of the goods + services made in an area.)

Read the full methodology.

Breaking down our score

Tampa held its No. 17 rank from 2022, after rising up 15 spots from 2021. The Tampa and St. Pete area ranks pretty high in terms of job and wage growth — especially when it comes to short-term job growth (think: total employment rates from October 2021-2022).

But the Tampa Bay area particularly grew in terms of technology. The area’s high-tech GDP rank shot up to 37 from its previous score of 68. Over the past five years, the number of businesses in the IT industry increased by 27%.

Tech growth seems directly tied to employment. In the tech sector alone, the Tampa Bay Region experienced a 30% jump in job growth.

Compare our score

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 5

Open Mic Night | Tuesday, Sept. 5 | 9 p.m. | Pegasus Night Club, 14811 N. Florida Ave., Tampa | Free | Whether you’re a singer, rapper, comic, or poet, you can join in this open mic night — or you can just sit back and enjoy the show.

Wednesday, Sept. 6

Sunset Yoga at St. Pete Pier | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 7-8 p.m. | Spa Beach Park, 600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Free | The Body Electric Yoga Company leads a pier practice for all skill levels.

Thursday, Sept. 7

Birthday Discount Days | Thursday, Sept. 7-Saturday, Sept. 9 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, 355 4th St. N., St. Petersburg | $10 | Celebrate the museum’s two-year anniversary with discounted admission.
Sam Hunt: Summer on the Outskirts Tour | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre, 4802 N. US Hwy. 301, Tampa | $34.75-$800 | Head to this country show with Brett Young and Lily Rose as support acts.

Friday, Sept. 8

Fall Festival | Friday, Sept. 8-Sunday, Sept. 10 | Times vary | New Tampa Performing Arts Center, 8550 Hunters Village Rd., Tampa | Free | Celebrate the season with dancing, music, theater performances, and interactive activities.
Be Our Guest | Friday, Sept. 8 | 7-11 p.m. | Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $18 | Dress up to dance the night away to your fave movie + TV show soundtracks with fellow Disney Lovers and 90s kids — alcohol will also be served.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Community

Have you seen pink flamingos around recently? Floridians are theorizing that Hurricane Idalia swept pink flamingos further north than they typically reside, resulting in sightings across the state that would otherwise be pretty rare. Locals have spotted the birds at Fred Howard Park + Clearwater Beach. (Tampa Bay Times)

Coming Soon

Salad drive-thru restaurant Greenlane recently announced plans for a new location at the corner of 4th Street and 80th Avenue N. This announcement joins Greenlane’s plans for another new location at 2055 N. Dale Mabry St. (I Love the Burg)

Drink

Ever wanted to bottle + drink your cereal milk? A coffee shop in Tampa is bringing that vision to life with its cereal milk-infused Fruity Pebbles latte. Known for its unique drinks, Provisions Coffee and Kitchen has plans to open its newest location soon at 3752 Windcrest Dr. (That’s So Tampa)

Edu

Today, Clearwater leaders will celebrate the grand opening of LiFT, a new 60,000-sqft school dedicated entirely to neurodiverse children and adults. The new private school is located at 1005 S. Highland Ave. and is enrolling students now.

Travel

Planning on traveling this holiday season? You may want to book those flights now — experts advise that airfare is usually cheapest 71 days before departure. In other words: Book Thanksgiving flights out of Tampa International now, and December flights in mid-October. Make a free Going account for even cheaper airfare.* (The Washington Post)

Wellness

Explore the best of Tampa on the Be Well Guided Bike Tour. Bring your own bike or rent a Lime Bike (available throughout Water Street), and enjoy a guided 10.5 mile bike tour, a reusable water bottle, and pre- and post-ride complimentary treats at Crisp & Green. Get your $25 tickets.*

Edu

Considering a career change or looking to take your tech job to the next level? Southeastern University’s SEU Tech certificates offer online, budget-friendly courses in software development, cybersecurity, and data science. Bonus: Courses are only eight weeks. Explore the program + register.*

Seasonal

City

Which TBAY seasonal fall events are you most interested in?

A brown beverage in a mug with a cinnamon stick sticking out, next to a small pumpkin and cranberries on a blanket.

Ignore the temps — it’s almost time for fall. | Photo by Karolina Grabowska via Pexels.

Autumn is fast approaching, TBAY. Tampa Bay area summers are always eventful, but fall is just as fruitful with pumpkin-spiced, apple-scented fun.

This is where you, our wonderful readers, can share what stories you’d like to see in the newsletter in the coming weeks. Here are a few things we have in mind:

Regional pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and hay rides
Indoor/outdoor fall concerts and music festivals
Fall foodie and drink events
Seasonal sips at local coffee shops
Seriously scary fun for the brave of heart

Vote on your favorite fall activities using the button below, and let us know if we’re missing something you need the 411 on.

Spill the autumnal tea

Answered

On Friday, we asked what you were bringing to the Labor Day barbecue. Here’s what you said:

Via our poll:

67% of you are sides people — grilled corn, pasta salad, and baked beans are what’s on the menu.
33% of you were bringing a vegetarian or vegan option (full disclosure: I am one of those people).

60% of you also sidled up with the sides.
20% of you knew that no barbecue is complete without a dessert.
20% of you also went with barbecue of the meatless variety.

Don’t agree with those votes? Make your voice heard below.

Dish, please

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Brianna

From the editor

Did ya miss us yesterday? The feeling is mutual. Don’t worry, we’re back to keep you updated on all the TBAY happenings for the rest of the week + we’re feeling pumped about the fall content that’s coming. Please do let us know what you wanna see via the link above — we want to make sure you’re getting all the fall info you want.

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