Spotlight Tampa Bay PREVIEW “Tampa Bay’s Economy in 2036: Preparing for a Thriving Future” 9/23

 The Tampa Bay Times and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg bring together a panel of experts to discuss Florida’s changing economy 
  
The Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, will host a free community conversation on Florida’s changing economy during the upcoming Spotlight Tampa Bay event, “Tampa Bay’s Economy in 2036: Preparing for a Thriving Future.” The forum will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg’s Center for Health Equity, 2333 34th St. S., St. Petersburg.  

From 5-6 p.m., explore the community resource center featuring booths from local organizations. At 6 p.m., local experts and community leaders will participate in a panel discussion on Tampa Bay’s economic future. Florida’s economy is changing rapidly, bringing new opportunities alongside significant challenges. As industries evolve, technology reshapes the workforce, and rising housing and healthcare costs affect everyday life, what will it take to ensure that Tampa Bay thrives over the next decade, and how can we prepare our future leaders for success? Join the Tampa Bay Times and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg for this free community conversation as local experts explore the future of our regional economy and the actions we must take today to prepare the next generation, strengthen our workforce, and create greater opportunities for everyone. 

“Tampa Bay’s economic successes and challenges today stem from decisions made years ago,” said Conan Gallaty, Times CEO and chairman. “The next decade will be shaped by the choices we make now, which is why this conversation is so important.” 

The conversation, moderated by Rebecca Liebson, real estate reporter at the Tampa Bay Times, will feature Bemetra Simmons, president and CEO of Tampa Bay Partnership; Dr. Michael Coon, associate professor of economics at the University of Tampa; Ashon Nesbitt, CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition; and Dr. Cynthia Johnson, director of Pinellas County Economic Development. 

“Economic stability has a huge impact on our health, so we must be intentional in planning for our community’s economic future in ways that consider all of our residents — especially the most vulnerable among us,” said Dr. Kanika Tomalin, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. “Conversations like these have the potential to help shift our thinking in ways that carry real impact.” 

Doors open at 5 p.m. The resource center will be held from 5-6 p.m. The panel discussion, which will include questions from the audience, will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Attendees should register at tampabay.com/spotlight. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the Spotlight Tampa Bay community conversation series, email mwhiteley@tampabay.com.  

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About the Tampa Bay Times 
The Tampa Bay Times, winner of 14 Pulitzer Prizes, is Florida’s largest newspaper and a trusted source for news. As a locally owned and independent media organization, the Times also operates tampabay.com. In addition to its flagship publication, the company publishes the free weekly tbt* Weekend and Bay magazine, offering comprehensive coverage of local news, entertainment and lifestyles. 

About the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg 
The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg is a private foundation formed in 2013 following the sale of the nonprofit Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As the steward of an endowment to support health equity in Pinellas County, the foundation leads, funds, advocates and partners to create a community in which all people can lead healthy lives. The foundation advances racially equitable health outcomes by improving the systems and conditions that shape them. It opened its Center for Health Equity in 2019. To learn more, visit healthystpete.foundation.