Spotlight On: Jane Castor, Mayor, City of Tampa
July 2025 — The city of Tampa has continued on a stellar pace through the first half of the decade, with business and residential growth keeping pace with other leading markets in the United States. As Tampa looks for sustained growth, Mayor Jane Castor points out the importance of public-private collaboration to stay competitive in the Southeastern market. “From the expansion of the Water Street district to the development of mixed-use neighborhoods like Rome Yard, we’re aligning city resources with business needs,” said Castor to Invest:.
Over the past year, what changes or developments have most influenced the business climate in Tampa?
Tampa’s business climate has remained strong thanks to continued investments in infrastructure, talent, and innovation. Projects like the City Center at Hanna Avenue in East Tampa have transformed access to government services and created new opportunities in a historically underserved area. We’ve also expanded our workforce housing initiatives. The city has permitted more than 20,000 new residential units, many of them affordable or workforce-oriented, which is helping employers attract and retain talent. Meanwhile, Tampa is seeing a surge in public-private collaboration. From the expansion of the Water Street district to the development of mixed-use neighborhoods like Rome Yard, we’re aligning city resources with business needs. That’s what’s keeping Tampa competitive and compelling in a crowded Southeastern market.
In your view, what makes Tampa an ideal location for business and investment compared to other markets in Florida or the Southeast?
Tampa checks a lot of boxes — lower cost of living compared to Miami or Atlanta, no state income tax, access to talent, and a business-friendly environment. I believe what really sets us apart is the collaboration. We work closely with the private sector, universities, and nonprofits to make things happen quickly. Whether it’s expediting permits or launching workforce programs, we don’t let bureaucracy get in the way. That’s a big reason we’ve consistently ranked as one of the best cities for startups and business growth. As a former police chief, it’s also important to me that these businesses grow in a city that’s safe, which Tampa offers, with a 14% reduction in overall crime last year alone.
What factors do you believe have contributed to Tampa’s favorability, and how is the city working to maintain this momentum?
We have strong job growth across multiple sectors—tech, healthcare, construction, logistics. Between 2020 and 2023, Tampa added more than 130,000 jobs. We’re also seeing a younger workforce move in — our median age is 35 — and we’re growing by about 150 people a day. To keep up, we’ve focused on youth job opportunities and skills training. We’re pairing those efforts with investments in housing and transportation so people can actually live near where they work.
How is Tampa supporting workforce development to meet the needs of local businesses and industries?
Through partnerships with organizations like CareerSource, Hillsborough Community College, and Ready4Work, we’re offering real-world training to people who need it most. We’re also working with major employers to ensure our training aligns with their real-time needs. On the City side, we’ve streamlined hiring for public sector roles and created pathways for internships and apprenticeships across multiple city departments. It’s about building a pipeline for long-term careers, not just quick fixes.
How is the city supporting tech growth and talent pipelines, and what impact is it having on the local economy?
We’re supporting tech by making it easier for startups and companies to grow here. CyberTech|X is helping us attract cybersecurity companies, and the new Bellini College at USF is going to be a major talent generator. We also support Embarc Collective and other incubators that give startups what they need to scale. Between 2017 and 2023, tech job postings in the region went up nearly 50%. That kind of growth brings higher wages and helps diversify our economy beyond tourism and construction.
What strategies are being employed to ensure residential developments meet the needs of Tampa’s diverse population?
We’re using every tool available—fast-tracking permits for affordable housing, providing down payment assistance, and focusing more on public-private partnerships through projects like Rome Yard, a mixed-use development that will offer affordable housing. We’re also working on zoning updates to allow for more mixed-use, “live-work-play” environments. We’re not just building units, we’re trying to make sure people across income levels and backgrounds can actually stay in Tampa and build a future here.
How do infrastructure investments enhance Tampa’s resilience and appeal to businesses concerned about climate risks?
Businesses want reliability. If your streets are flooding or your building loses wastewater service during a storm, that’s a problem. So we’ve taken a proactive approach—$350 million for stormwater means better drainage, reduced flooding, and fewer disruptions. The $94 million in wastewater upgrades is making our system more resilient and efficient. These investments protect neighborhoods, keep businesses running, and give investors confidence that Tampa is planning ahead, not just reacting after a disaster.
What are your top priorities for Tampa’s economic development over the next three years?
We’re focused on investing in infrastructure to support growth, creating more affordable housing options, and improving transit options as well. Tampa is growing and transforming faster than I’ve ever seen it in my lifetime, and we need to make sure that growth works for everyone—from small business owners to new college grads to families who’ve lived here for generations. Tampa has the momentum, we’re just making sure it’s sustainable.
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