About the Tampa, Florida Area 

Welcome to Tampa Bay, an area that encompasses three counties and is "home" to over 2 million residents. It's a home filled with sunny beaches and bright futures. It offers great business opportunities and low costs for doing business. It's where Tampa Bay Buccaneers' fans cheered their winning team on to Super Bowl glory in 2002 and their favorite hockey team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, on to the 2004 Stanley Cup victory. It's also home to the "Number 1 Zoo in the United States for Kids."  

It has the largest performing arts center in the southeast. The largest science museum in the south. And the cultural arts district in downtown Tampa is expanding every day, with the recent addition of the Patel Conservatory which helps both young and mature actors, artists, musicians and performers perfect their craft. 

It's one of the few markets in America with two major metropolitan newspapers. The #1 ranked airport in the country. And Tampa is the only city in America that celebrates the glory of being a pirate and all the festivities that Gasparilla offers during one whole month each year.  

If you're looking for a great way of life, it doesn't get better than Tampa Bay. There's no state income tax. Low property taxes. And Tampa offers a lower cost of living than other major southern cities, including Atlanta, Orlando, Charlotte and Charleston.  

As a region, the commitment to excellence in education is impressive, and is essential for providing an educated, talented workforce for area businesses. Tampa is also one of the most Literate Cities in America, ranking 16th in the country among cities with more than 250,000 residents.  

It's a region that attracts millions of tourists each year, who appreciate its mild winter climates, tropical summers, spectacular sunsets and beautiful beaches. To those of us who choose to live here, these are every day pleasures--not just vacation moments. We go fishing before heading into the office. We walk on the beach at sunset. We enjoy wearing shorts in January. And we are thankful, with each and every sunny day, to have made the decision to live in Tampa Bay.  

We have a healthy economy, as well as some of the best healthcare facilities in the United States, including H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, two trauma centers, a medical school (which works in conjunction with two major hospitals) and three hospitals ranked as "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S. News and World Report.  

Like most Americans, the residents of Tampa Bay are proud of the men and women who serve in the military. And we're honored that MacDill Air Force Base is located here in Tampa. It's the headquarters for two major commands; special U.S. Operations Command and U.S. Central Command. And it's also where Coalition Village is located, comprised of representatives from 65 nations who are working together to combat terrorism.  

If you're looking for a place to start or grow your business, Tampa Bay is right for you. In 2004, Florida was ranked #2 as one of the best places in America for start-ups. And more and more companies are also relocating their headquarters to Tampa, as well. We're the west coast anchor of Florida's High Tech Corridor. And you'll find all the logistical resources needed for import/export through Florida's largest deep-water port, conveniently located in downtown Tampa. And you can take advantage of the five major cruise lines that also sail out of the Port of Tampa. The Tampa Bay MSA is also known as a top growth market for manufacturing, especially for the medical industry.  

You can choose to live in a historic bungalow - or a high rise by the Bay. You might live in a country club community - or a lakeside villa might be right for you. Tampa Bay has a wide range of residential choices to fit every budget and lifestyle. Just remember, the sunshine, sunsets and gulf breezes are free!  

We invite you to explore all the treasures of Tampa Bay. This guide is designed to help you find the answers to all of your questions. We've included maps throughout the publication to help you choose the right home, school, health care resources and more. The more you find out about Tampa Bay, the more we're certain you'll decide to make this special region your home. We look forward to calling you our "neighbor."  

Culture
While many people relocate to the Tampa Bay area for its desirable Florida lifestyle and superb business climate, once here, they're thrilled to discover a vibrant arts community. Tampa Bay offers a wide variety of museums, performance halls, festivals, and galleries, and it is "home" to three of the most-visited non-profit arts operations in the entire state. The area also offers several educational art institutions, such as the University of South Florida College of Visual and Performing Arts, home to the Contemporary Art Museum (pictured right). In addition, a new Tampa Museum of Art will anchor a growing cultural arts district, which will include a new $30 million art conservatory and the busiest performance hall in the entire South! It's no wonder Tampa Bay is considered a cultural oasis.  

Entertainment
Combine a perfect climate, tropical breezes and some of the nations most popular attractions, and it's easy to understand why the Tampa Bay area is a favorite tourist destination. And its residents get to enjoy the fun all year round! More than 5 million people experience Busch Gardens annually, and the Lowry Park Zoo is ranked as the #1 Family Friendly Zoo in the country. Visit several renowned aquariums, the largest science center in the South and the largest collection of exotic big cats in the world. We've got more than a dozen major attractions in all! Come see the Florida State Fair, the world famous Gasparilla Pirate Festival (it lasts a month!) or one of the many family-friendly festivals. If you love fun, you'll love Tampa Bay! 

Education
Students of every age can achieve their educational goals in the Tampa Bay area. For families with young children, there are a variety of wonderful public and private school options to choose from. The public schools of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties equaled or excelled the state's average in scores on FCAT tests, school district monies spent per student and senior graduation rates. Adult students can choose to attend one of many major colleges, universities, technical and trade schools. Tampa Bay is home to a respected medical school, top-ranked law school, private national liberal arts college and several graduate schools.  

© 2006 The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce 

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