Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation Receives $100,000 from Truist Foundation for Inclusive Economic Growth Initiative
September 25, 2023
Donation will advance implementation of capital improvement projects in East Tampa Industrial District, spur investment in local businesses and help train and retain area workers
Tampa, Fla. – (Sept. 25, 2023) – The Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation, a 501 c 3 affiliated organization of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, today announced that it has received a $100,000 grant from Truist Foundation for its Inclusive Economic Growth Initiative. This Initiative is focused on generating jobs and capital investment in underserved areas of Tampa and Hillsborough County, including East Tampa, Central Park/Ybor City and the University Area. Truist Foundation’s donation will be applied toward the implementation of the East Tampa Industrial District master plan.
“We are pleased to support the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation’s efforts to bring transformational new development, small business assistance and career-worthy job opportunities to residents of East Tampa,” said Lindsay August, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties market president for Truist. “This catalytic project aligns with Truist Foundation’s strategic focus of strengthening small businesses and building career pathways and is central to our goals for advancing economic prosperity for all in Hillsborough County.”
The implementation of the East Tampa Industrial District plan includes the development of a Live-Learn Facility and other public improvements and catalytic projects along East Columbus Drive between 32nd Street and 40th Street in East Tampa.
“We are grateful to Truist Foundation for their generous and timely gift, which is helping us to achieve our goal to raise $2 million in support of the Inclusive Economic Growth Initiative’s programs,” said Dr. Ken Atwater, president of Hillsborough Community College and chairman of the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation. “Truist Foundation’s commitment to investing in underserved areas and increasing educational attainment among all residents of Hillsborough County will have a profound impact in this region.”
The Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation has raised over $1.7 million toward its campaign goal, thanks to the generous support of funders TECO, JPMorgan Chase, DTCC, The Mosaic Company, SouthState Bank, Grow Financial, Bank of America, Suncoast Credit Union, Hillsborough Community College, Google, Regions, AT&T, The Florida Aquarium and Cousins Foundation. The contributions of these funders have also gone toward the creation and launch of the CertUp Tampa career awareness campaign, which educates local residents about short- term, affordable certificate and degree programs in high-demand fields.
About Truist Foundation
Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.
About the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation
Founded in 2018, the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit affiliated organization of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. The Foundation has a two-pronged mission: to bring jobs and capital investment to the East Tampa, Central Park and Ybor City, and Uptown districts of Tampa and Hillsborough County; and to raise awareness of career training and skills development opportunities to residents of those areas. For more information, visit prospertampabay.org.
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