One of Tampa’s biggest business stories of 2022 was the growth in our distribution and logistics sector. The Tampa Bay EDC closed five projects from this category, including two headquarter relocations with AFC Logistics and Merit Logistics.
This growth didn’t happen overnight. Over the past five years, Distribution & Logistics businesses have grown by 37% from 1,830 warehouse and distribution businesses in 2017 to nearly 2,500 establishments by the end of 2021. Currently, more than 120,000 people in the Tampa MSA are employed in this sector with more than half – or 58% – working in Hillsborough County.
Between 2017-2022, more than 14,500 jobs were added in the distribution and logistics industry, and over the next five years, the sector is projected to add another 4,500 jobs for a growth of 8.4%. The key occupations driving growth within this industry are aircraft mechanics and service technicians at 12%, logisticians and project management specialists at 11%, and heavy equipment technicians at 11%.
A strong education system offering a variety of degree programs, certifications, and on-the-job training is producing the type of high-quality talent pipeline that distribution and logistics companies need to succeed in the Tampa market. Nearly 3,000 degrees were awarded to graduates linked to distribution and logistics occupations during the 2020-2021 school year. The University of South Florida, St. Leo University and Hillsborough Community College all offer degree programs specific to supply chain management while the University of Tampa’s business administration and management degrees are also linked to jobs in this sector.
We’re excited to see where this industry goes as our population continues to grow and companies seek more efficiency in their supply chains.
