Hillsborough County Launches Competitive Sites Program

November 30, 2016

TAMPA, Fla. – (Nov. 30, 2016) – To help companies take the guesswork out of site selection, Hillsborough County and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation (EDC) have launched Competitive Sites – a new program featuring a pre-screened, online inventory of some of the best development-ready locations in Tampa Bay.

Through the Competitive Sites program, the initial due diligence to identify, analyze and inventory sites with the capacity to support sizable industrial or office development is already completed for locations in Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City.

“Because much of the initial due diligence review has been done, Competitive Sites can help save site selectors time and money, mitigating the risk associated with some properties and helping them make the best location decision for their businesses,” explained Ron Barton, assistant county administrator for Economic Prosperity, Hillsborough County. “Competitive Sites will also increase the inventory of site options available to companies.”

The web-based inventory, accessible at tampabayedc.com/competitivesites, will be continuously updated to include sites in port, campus, urban, suburban and rural locations.  The report for each Competitive Site delivers critical property data in a single, handy PDF file.  Property attributes include size, zoning, land use, development entitlements and supporting infrastructure.  A recorded webinar is also available to guide those interested in how to access and use the Competitive Sites database.

Properties designated as Competitive Sites are also entitled to an expedited review process, which can reduce the review timeline by two to six weeks. Additionally, horizontal (site plans) and vertical (construction plans) may be submitted for a dual review process.  Sites located within the cities have expedited processes that save time and money, too.

“Hillsborough County’s Competitive Sites Program is a valuable tool that sets Tampa and Hillsborough County apart as we compete for new and expanding companies, more jobs and the growth of our target industries,” said Craig J. Richard, CEcD, President and CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.

To learn more about Hillsborough County’s Competitive Sites, contact Eric Lindstrom, manager, Competitive Sites and Redevelopment, at lindstrome@HCFLGov.net or 813.276.2747.