WHY TAMPA BAY IS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR INVESTMENT IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Tampa is one of the cities with the highest growth potential in the USA. For an interesting article of  Tampa in 2017 read the article about the transformation of Tampa’s downtown
Tampa and Tampa Bay are well-positioned for long term growth and the area is an excellent choice for investment in commercial real estate.  As with the rest of Florida, the Tampa market benefits from one of the lowest barriers to entry as compared to other states.  However, Tampa has notably different characteristics and some advantages over other parts of Florida. Unlike SE Florida, which is more densely p[populated and is pushing up against the everglades and is running out of developable land, Tampa Bay and the west coast of Florida still has plenty of room for growth.  De-densification seems to be the one likely trend to emerge from the public health crisis, with families and businesses increasingly favoring the less-dense, car-dependent areas to packed central business districts.  Tampa also differs from other areas on the west coast because it a place where people live and work year-round.  Tampa can prosper without tourists. Other areas located on the west coast of Florida are highly seasonal. Snowbirds disappear during the summer and demand for retail, restaurant service providers etc shrinks. Businesses have to play like an accordion, contracting and expanding overhead in synch with the population. This is difficult, not only for businesses, but also for the labor market.
Like the rest of Florida, Tampa´s housing market had severe indigestion after 2008. The rapid development pace for residential and commercial real estate was difficult to maintain. Housing prices dropped in the sub-prime lending crisis and commercial development slowed considerably. This had a negative effect on the local economy. Even with this Hillsborough County grew by 23 percent according to the 2010 census and Pinellas remains the most densely populated county in the state. Notwithstanding the difficult recession that we just went through, a 2011 study by the University of Florida projects significant population growth projected for Tampa Bay. Investors in commercial real estate in Tampa Bay will be encouraged to know that the forecast is that Tampa Bay will grow by another 8% by 2015.

Covid-19 Update Tampa Bay

Prior to Covid-19, The Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan
Statistical Area (MSA) was projected expected to show relatively
high growth in the economic indicators as compared to the other Florida MSAs studied. Now, Tampa and Tampa Bay along with Florida and the rest of the United States are in the midst of a recession due to business restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus.   We can expect peaks in unemployment in the second half of 2020.  Average unemployment in Tampa Bay was 3.3% in 2019. As the area opens up for business jobs will rebound but not completely. Overall, the Institute for Economic Development at the University Of Central Florida projects that the number of Tampa Bay residents who are unemployed will total 7.6% in 2020, 7.4% in 2021, and 3.8% in 2022. The Tampa Bay area will have the states second highest av gross metro product, behind Miami-Ft Lauderdale -West Palm Beach

Facts about Tampa Bay

• Tampa Bay is the 7 county region on Florida’s West Coast.
(Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee,   Pinellas, Pasco, Polk , Sarasota). Map of Tampa Bay
• Major Cities: • Tampa • Brandon • Clearwater • St. Petersburg •  Sarasota •  Bradenton
• 4.2 million residents  • 156,000 businesses • 2 million in workforce • Retail sales of $53 billion 2010
• 13th largest media market in U.S.
• Port of Tampa is the largest seaport in FL by both cargo and tonnage & is the most diversified.

The Tampa Bay area is a huge slice of the Florida pie. With 7 counties and 4 million people, it is currently home to 22% of Florida´s population and has 22% of the labor force.

Population By County: as of July 1, 2017 (U.S. Census Bureau).
• Hernando County population estimate of 179,144
• Hillsborough County population estimate of 1,351,087
• Pasco County population estimate of 498,136
• Pinellas County population estimate of 949,842

Tampa Bay will be a major beneficiary of growth prospects, attracting new business and people because Tampa offers a quality of life and the infrastructure is in place to support growth. At the end of 2019, Florida greeted the largest number of U-Haul moving trucks entering its borders versus exiting them, establishing itself as the leading state in growth for the first time in four years

The Tampa area with its efficient ports has become a global gateway. With the Panama Canal being expanded and Cuba eventually opening up, commercial property in Tampa is a sound long term investment. For useful information about Tampa visit the Tampa Chamber.

The mortgage crisis and the ensuing recession in Tampa Bay deeply affected the local economy. Today, Tampa Bay housing is now amongst the most affordable in the country . Prices have decreased as a result of overbuilding and although houseing prices are begining to rise, People moving to Tampa Bay can find real bargains in housing. Unemployment in Tampa Bay is still high and provides plenty of competition for work which means a lower labor cost for employers.. A lower cost labor force promotes growth & the jobs that will be created will be a boon to investors in Tampa commercial real estate. Want to try something fun. Click on Calculator Link to see how the cost of living in Tampa compares with other cities. Tampa is the least costly major city in which to do business

Tampa is continually improving the high way infrastructure.  People are surprised to learn that the Tampa-Orlando-Miami area is the 15th largest economy in the world. It is in fact a super region with the west coast through Orlando down to the east coast is really being one piece of geography.  The widening of the Panama Canal that is underway will have tremendous implications for the growth of international trade in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. The Port of Tampa is the largest port in Florida.  Expanding  links between Tampa and Cuba will also have a positive impact on the Tampa Bay economy.Tampa Bay now has the largest desalination plant in N America.  Tampa is very accessible. Tampa’s airport ranks high in surveys by JD Powers and CNN.  Tampa is amongst the top 25 visited cites in the US and it has the lowest hotel cost. The large sea port combined with its three airports give Tampa Bay easy access to global markets and the Tampa area is becoming increasingly international.  Foreign owned firms have a strong presence in Tampa.

Reasons why Tampa Bay is A Strong Area For Growth and For Investment In Commercial Real Estate in 2015:

Interesting information about Tampa and the Tampa Bay area

Employment in Tampa Bay

Worldwide organizations with a major presence in the Tampa Bay region include JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Depository Trust and Clearing Corp., Raymond James, MetLife, State Farm, and Progressive Insurance . Coca-Cola Enterprises, Citigroup Price Waterhouse Coopers, T. Rowe Price, JPMorgan, and many others have recently elected to relocate significant operations into Florida´s Tampa Bay. Draper Laboratories recently announced that they have selected Tampa Bay to open new research facilities. At the end of 2009 a study compiled by Central Connecticut State University ranked Tampa as the most literate city in Florida & amongst the top 20 most literate cities in the USA. The next closest city in Florida was Miami which ranked 33rd.  Tampa Bay largest employers.  Tampa Bay employment fell precipitously during the recession which started in 2008. But a recovery is underway.  At the end of 2012 Tampa Bay led all Florida metros, gaining 22,900 jobs over the past year, Tampa Bay also led all metros in gaining the most professional and business service jobs (up 9,700 jobs), a category that includes everything from accountants and architects to payroll companies and consultants.

Macdill  Airforce base is located in Tampa. The 5,000-acre facility has over 12,000 employees. It has an economic impact of over $5 billion on Hillsborough county and is the county’s second-largest employer behind the school district. It is a center for worldwide operations. The Joint Operations Center inside Macdill is responsible for running the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan. There are over 250,000 retired military living in the Tampa Bay area, providing a highly qualified labor pool.


Snapshot statistics highlighting the Tampa Bay area

– In 2005, Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg) ranked as the #1 beach in the USA. You
don´t find beaches like this anymore.Click here: Fort de Soto .
– St Petersburg was designated “America’s Most Liveable Community .
– Five Tampa Bay area high schools landed on Newsweek magazine’s list of top 100 high
schools in the USA. One was in the top 10.
– In 2010 KMPG rated Tampa No1 of the major US markets for lowest business cost
– Conde Naste recognized Tampa International Airport as one of the top three markets  worldwide.
– With its excellent airport and ports, Cargo moves easily to global destinations.

Higher Education
Over 25 universities, colleges and higher education facilities including the Big East’s largest. The University of South Florida (USF) is the third largest university in the Southeast. With four campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota/Manatee and Lakeland and enrollment of over 47,000, USF is the ninth-largest university in the nation. It is a major driver in the Tampa Bay region and is drawing world renowned R&D facilities.

Arts and Entertainment
The arts are a vital component of this vibrant community. Theater groups, orchestras, world-class performance halls, museums, galleries & much more provide enriching performances, inspirational youth education programs,& exhibits that showcase talented artists, actors  musicians.
It’s no wonder families love Tampa Bay. The area is home to such favorites as Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, Museum of Science & Industry and Lowry Park Zoo. The new Glazer Children´s Museum opened in 2010 to national acclaim.

But its not only about passive activity. Tampa Bay is a place to play hard also. Certainly, the Tampa Bay area offers a quality of life that is difficult to surpass. We are surrounded by water and a beach is never far. The area´s warm weather enables out -door activity all year long. Tampa Bay is renowned for its golf courses. Nature-lovers have so much to explore. Guide for Tampa Bay including Tampa, New Tampa, St Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Carrollwood and surrounding areas: www.tampaguide.com

Tourism:

In 2010 17 million visitors were attracted to Tampa Bay and their spending  injected $3 billion into the local economy. In September 2 010 Legoland had its grand opening in Winterhaven, which will attract more tourists to its shows , rides & model buildings. Pinellas County experienced record levels of tourists in 2012.

Sports:

Over the past few years Tampa´s Professional Sport teams have been putting Tampa on the Map.
Tampa hosted the Super Bowl XLIII in 2009. The impressive achievements of Tampa Bay teams add to Tampa Bays growing national recognition:
• NFL – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002 Super Bowl Champs)
•NHL – Tampa Bay Lightning (2004 Stanley Cup Champs)
•MLB – Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2008 American League Champions)

Professional Baseball Several major league teams conduct their Spring Training in Tampa bay:
•New York Yankees, Tampa •Toronto Blue Jays, Dunedin •Cincinnati Reds, Sarasota
•Philadelphia Phillies, Clearwater • Pittsburg Pirates, Bradenton •Cleveland Indians, Winter Haven •Detroit Tigers, Lakeland •Boston Red Sox, Ft. Myers
Tennis: World class Tennis training facilities are located in Tampa Bay . Saddlebrook and Bolliteri. Agassi, Sampras, Caprioti, Blake , the Williams sisters all trained here.

It’s no wonder families love Tampa Bay. The area is home to such favorites as Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, Museum of Science & Industry and Lowry Park Zoo. The Republican party  selected Tampa as the venue for it 2012 Republican Convention. This focussed the spotlight on Tampa.

Tampa Bay is a regional center of influence with strong military base, a great airport, an international port and a major university.  When you invest in commercial real estate in Tampa and the Tampa Bay area, you are investing in a market that is positioned for long term economic and population growth. Let the experience of Tampa Commercial Real Estate help with your buying ,selling and leasing of Office space, Medical space, Retail, space,  Restaurant space, Industrial space , Land,or Site selection in the Tampa Bay area.

The Tampa, St Petersbug, Clearwater market area offers an exceptional opportunity for companies looking to relocate. No state taxes, Low cost of housing, plentiful labor supply due to the loss of jobs, and educated labor forces, low cost of labor and a terrific environment to live and grow a family.

Location and traffic is very important for some commercial real estate uses and businesses. See List of busiest intersections in Tampa Bay