Bill Cronin, President & CEO, Pasco EDC
Bill Cronin, President and CEO of Pasco EDC, spoke with Invest: about Pasco County’s rapid population growth and how the region is adapting to meet evolving workforce demands. He discussed why Pasco is increasingly attractive to businesses and residents alike and outlined strategies for sustaining long-term growth.
What makes this region an ideal location for businesses compared to nearby areas?
Pasco County offers a favorable tax environment supported by political leadership that is committed to preserving it. Our residents elect leaders who align with their priorities, and that has made a difference. Our region is currently the fastest-growing population in the U.S., with a significant influx of talent. Industries that traditionally overlooked Florida — especially those needing cleaner infrastructure — are now coming here.
Historically, Florida wasn’t seen as a destination for smokestack or heavy industry, but we’re focused on the cleaner sectors: fintech, cleantech, health tech, med tech, life sciences, and IT. There’s a lot of cross-pollination among these industries, which is fostering innovation.
Our political leadership gained popularity, particularly due to how the county handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people moved here seeking room to grow outside of dense urban centers while remaining close enough to enjoy big-city amenities. Suburbs like Pasco have become more appealing, especially for millennial families. We’re seeing R&D, manufacturing, and CEO-level housing shift to suburban areas. Pasco is now the third-fastest growing county in the U.S. by in-migration, just behind Polk County, which ranks first.
How is the EDC preparing the local workforce for the new Moffitt Cancer Center SPEROS FL Campus?
Workforce is the unifying element in everything we do. We’ve evolved from simply trying to create jobs for residents to becoming active participants in talent attraction. Even with over 1,000 people moving to Florida each day, we have very specific needs — particularly in specialized sectors like cancer research and life sciences.
While most people think of lab coats and clinical roles, the broader ecosystem includes skilled trades such as HVAC technicians, lab techs, and others essential to research and healthcare infrastructure. We’re working closely with educational institutions to adapt their curricula — emphasizing both clinical programs and trade skills that support the life sciences industry.
SPEROS FL recently broke ground. What impact will it have on job creation and related business growth?
Moffit Cancer Center’s new campus is expected to generate approximately 14,000 jobs and will serve as a magnet for companies seeking to collaborate and innovate in the life sciences space. Two buildings are already completed, including the nearly finished proton beam therapy center, which houses a state-of-the-art cyclotron — one of the first of its kind in the U.S.
Companies like Cryoport and Cryogene are establishing ultra-low temperature cold storage facilities, essential for tissue and cell research. Additionally, AI and digital medicine are emerging as key focal points, redefining how we attract talent and engage with collaborators globally.
How does the county ensure sustainable growth while maintaining quality of life, infrastructure, and transportation?
Pasco County’s appeal lies in its quality of life. We have over 84,000 acres of preserved green space and miles of waterways that add to our natural beauty. Our growth strategy is proactive and community-driven, supported by a series of voter-approved penny sales tax referendums.
The first referendum focused on transportation, education, and public safety; the second expanded to include economic development. Our third, a 15-year one-cent sales tax, is projected to generate $1.9 billion in additional revenue. We’re currently conducting a study to allocate those funds strategically targeting economic development, infrastructure, security, and education.
A key challenge is ensuring that employment centers keep pace with our master-planned communities, which typically integrate residential, commercial, and retail spaces. Our goal is to create communities where people can live, work, and play — all within their neighborhood.
How do you collaborate with neighboring regions to fuel economic growth?
We work closely with Hillsborough and Pinellas counties under the Global Tampa Bay partnership. Together, we market the region collectively, highlighting shared assets and ensuring companies see the broader opportunity here.
One of the more complex challenges is workforce transportation, particularly along county borders. For instance, if a company is located near the edge of Pasco, many of its employees may commute from a neighboring county. That requires strong inter-county coordination to ensure infrastructure supports cross-border commuting.
We’re also focused on retaining companies within the region. If a business outgrows its space in a neighboring county, we want them to consider relocating to Pasco so they — and their workforce — remain part of the regional economy.
What are your top priorities over the next two to three years, and what is your outlook?
I’m very optimistic about our direction. The industries we’re focusing on — life sciences, AI, and digital medicine — are all showing strong momentum. We’re also encouraged by the alignment between our local leadership and state policymakers, many of whom are elevating Florida’s approach to governance.
Our workforce remains our most important asset. Right now, the pressure on our schools to produce talent is somewhat reduced because of ongoing in-migration. But that won’t last forever. Our schools need to evolve with the economy by aligning their curricula with industry needs to ensure a sustainable, homegrown talent pipeline.
Another priority is innovation. Pasco EDC is unique in that we operate three business incubators supporting sectors like food production, manufacturing, life sciences, and tech. These incubators enable rapid prototyping and early-stage development. We’re currently exploring the addition of dedicated incubators for life sciences and defense. We can’t rely solely on attracting businesses from elsewhere — we also need to grow our own companies to complement those that are moving into the region.
