Let’s take a look at everything that’s happening in the Tampa Bay area, what’s coming up in the next few weeks and months, and how Ready Stays is here for your month-to-month rental needs in Tampa.
Tampa Bay Looks to the Future
To support the growing number of emerging filmmakers in Tampa, Film Tampa Bay is joining forces with Stage 32, the world’s leading online education platform for those in entertainment, to launch a training program that aims to guide aspiring applicants into the entertainment industry. The program will aim to train product assistants, and will look to expand its offering to other key roles on a movie set, such as assistant directors, electricians, and grips (skilled technicians who handle building, rigging, and maintaining key equipment). Valued at $2,000, Film Tampa Bay is covering all costs for 12 selected applicants. The company has already generated over $100 million for Hillsborough County over the last 10 years, and the Tampa Bay area continues to draw attention for its diverse filming locations and production capabilities.
The University of South Florida has plans to build a new STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) facility at its Sarasota-Manatee Campus. In a press release, the University said this “transformative” project will “expand access to high-quality lab instruction in chemistry, biology, and physics for students across all USF campuses.” The new facility will be around 7,000 gross square feet, and will feature “modern labs, prep space, restrooms, utilities, site work, equipment, and furnishings.” Total cost for the project is estimated at $6.5 million. Interim Regional Chancellor Brett E. Kemker noted that the development of this facility will lead to reduced reliance on off-campus lab leases, reducing travel needs for students and faculty, and will hopefully lead to growth in programs like nursing and other STEM disciplines.
Farmland in Pasco County is set to be protected from development when it’s purchased by Southwest Florida Water Management District. The almost 1,000 acres was at risk of becoming just one more site of development, to accommodate population growth of almost 200,000 people in the area in the last decade. District Executive for Southwest Florida Water Brian Armstrong announced in a statement that the company was appreciative of the state Legislature’s commitment to preserve the land, and said “this important purchase will help preserve the region’s lands and water resources for future generations.” The District’s land resources bureau chief Ellen Morrison noted that the area is “one of the last large green spaces in eastern Pasco County.” Owned by the Kirkland family since 1956, the District hopes to buy the land for $30.8 million.
Tampa: Worth Investing In
A startup based in Tampa with a focus on using AI to help combat the climate crisis has raised $3.5 million in pre-seed funding, with backing from Google. SkyTL hopes to improve its AI disaster prediction platform and work with federal agencies to mitigate damage done by disasters. Rocio Frej Vitalle, CEO and founder of SkyTL, said: “too often, life-saving information is trapped in reports or outdated systems. We are changing that.” The company defines data fusion, AI predictive analytics, and intelligence for action as its three pillars shaping the future of disaster response. Their current product offerings include Wildfire Intelligence and Water Quality Management.
Hillsborough County commissioners are looking into building a privately-funded ice rink and hockey facility on the land surrounding Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). Commissioners voted unanimously to begin assessing the idea and whether it would be feasible, as an addition to the indoor sports complex already being planned. With only seven of the 74-acres MOSI is located on currently in use, there’s plenty of space for development. Commissioner Ken Hagan deemed the economic potential “significant”.
A Tampa biotech startup, LifePulse, which was originally spun out of the University of South Florida Tampa Bay Tech Incubator, has achieved $2 million in the form of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research award. The company hopes to use this funding to work on its current technology and make it even more effective at delivering therapies into cells. LifePulse offers “combined more than 100 years of collective research” and “boldly go to change outcomes and quality of life for the terminally ill”.
In more big news for the University of South Florida, the institution has signed a contract with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL). The contract, worth up to $85 million, will enable the University to conduct research on cybersecurity, biotechnology, energy sciences and more. One example of research being conducted is how sound waves travel through tissue, which will hopefully determine the long-term effects of decibels on members of the military. USF President Rhea Law said: “[these] discoveries and innovations will help protect our soldiers, strengthen our infrastructure, secure our digital future and enhance the safety and security of all Americans”.
Ready Stays is Here to Help!
As you can see, Tampa continues to be a place of innovation and future-forward business thinking, and whether you’re looking to start your own business or get involved with the constant development and technological advancement, Ready Stays has the short-term furnished accommodation solution for you.
With properties spread out across Tampa Bay, whichever you choose will have you wherever you need to be, and our contract-free stays mean you won’t be tied in to staying with us longer than you need.
All our properties come with everything you need for a safe, comfortable stay. Our helpful, knowledgeable team is ready to welcome you whenever you arrive. Get in touch today on 813-358-1538. We can’t wait to see you soon!
