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The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council has launched its strategic plan for 2026-2028, aimed at enhancing the region's economic competitiveness through three key initiatives: artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, and blue technology. The plan, developed over eight months, emphasizes the importance of regional collaboration, highlighting the University of South Florida's new Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing as a critical asset.

Tampa Bay is home to approximately 14 data centers, and the plan calls for partnerships to identify additional data center sites. The region also boasts a strong foundation for blue technology, particularly in Pinellas County, with assets like the USF College of Marine Science and the St.

Petersburg Innovation District. The strategic plan aims to foster startup growth, support established businesses, and attract major companies to maintain Tampa Bay's position as one of the most economically diverse regions in the U.S.