Google joins Tampa Bay EDC as Investor, makes donation to Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation
May 18, 2023
Taylor Ferguson, head of government affairs and public policy, will serve on the Tampa Bay EDC’s board of directors
Tampa, Fla. (May 18, 2023) – Multinational technology company Google has joined the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council as a Chairman’s Council Investor. Taylor Ferguson, head of government affairs and public policy in the Southeast will represent Google on the Tampa Bay EDC’s board of directors.
In addition to supporting local economic development efforts, Google has also donated $20,000 to the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation, a 501 c 3 affiliate nonprofit organization of the Tampa Bay EDC. Among its initiatives is CertUp, a career awareness campaign that promotes short term and certificate degree programs in high-demand careers, including technology-centric ones such as cybersecurity, to residents of East Tampa, Central Park, Ybor City and Uptown.
“Thanks to this generous grant from Google, we can continue to promote short term certificate and degree programs that lead to high wage, high demand career opportunities here in Tampa,” said Dr. Ken Atwater, President of Hillsborough Community College and Chairman of the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation.
Taylor Ferguson serves as Google’s Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy in the Southeast, United States where he will help craft, influence and advocate for Google’s policy positions related to their core products while building and strengthening relationships with state and local elected officials and community leaders. Ferguson is a Palm Beach native, now based in Tampa, and a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor’s degree in political communication.
“Since moving to Tampa, I’ve experienced firsthand how Tampa’s tech scene has flourished, attracting new jobs in high-growth fields,” said Ferguson. “Google is proud to support the Tampa Bay EDC and its partners in our continued efforts to help Tampa Bay job seekers, small businesses, and startups thrive and unlock opportunities for growth.”
Google is an American multinational technology company focusing on online advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and consumer electronics.
About Tampa Bay Economic Development Council
The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council is the lead designated economic development agency for Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace. Established in 2009 as a partnership between the public sector and private corporate investors, the EDC works to advance a diversified local economy that is beneficial to all by attracting, expanding and retaining quality employers, a talented workforce and investment, focusing within targeted industry sectors, including Corporate Headquarters, Financial and Professional Services, Information Technology, Life Science and Health Care, Defense and Security, Distribution and Logistics, and Manufacturing. The EDC exists because of the generous support of more than 100 corporations, Hillsborough County, and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace.
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