EDC introduces Circle of Champions

September 18, 2015

With bigger goals on the horizon, the Tampa Hillsborough EDC has created a new level of Investors to fund our continued growth and ensure long-term sustainability: the Circle of Champions.
 
Twelve organizations have signed on thus far for the $50,000 per year investment: Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, University of Tampa, Florida Blue, Port Tampa Bay, Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas, Tampa International Airport, Tampa General Hospital, Hillsborough Community College, SunTrust, GTE Financial, and Strategic Property Partners.
 
These Champions will be featured on the EDC website, in monthly newsletters, EDC activities, as well as at the EDC’s offices at Bank of America Plaza in downtown. Founding members – those who make a three-year pledge by October 1 – will receive special recognition, including an on-stage introduction at the 2015 Annual Meeting on October 27.
 
These organizations have been strong supporters of the EDC from the beginning, but with this increased funding, they are sending a clear signal that they believe in our mission and the direction in which our community is headed.
 
“Tampa and Hillsborough County compete against other states and cities for high-impact projects, like the recent Johnson & Johnson win,” said Dr. Ron Vaughn, current EDC Chair and President of University of Tampa, one of the first Investors to join the Circle of Champions. “We want to lead the state on as many economic development metrics as possible. Now is the time to increase investment in our economic development activities, so we can continue working with our many initiatives.”
 
Thanks to the support of more than 100 corporations, the Board of County Commissioners of Hillsborough County, and the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace, the Tampa Hillsborough EDC has announced nearly 16,000 new jobs and over $1 billion in new capital investment in Hillsborough County over the past 5 years.
 
“We’re deeply grateful to the Champions who have increased their level of support for the EDC,” said Rick Homans, President and CEO. “Their commitment will help us to achieve our business recruiting and expansion goals faster than ever, and allow us to capitalize on the momentum we’ve built over the last few years.”
 
If you are interested in joining the Circle of Champions, please contact Rick Homans at (813) 518-2620 or rhomans@tampabayedc.com.