Plan to join us as we recognize excellence in planning and design and toast our Executive Director, Ray Chiaramonte, who will be retiring in January 2015!

Have employment trends stabilized since the recession?

Is employment going up or down?  Up! 

 

Facts & figures like these  and much more can be found in the Planning Commission's Economic Indicators report for 2014. Based on local, regional, and national data to supplement Census Bureau data, this report was prepared in advance of the United States Census Bureau's recent 2012 Economic Census to include more local detail. The Census Bureau prepares an Economic Census every five years with the most recent data based on 2012 information.

           

A key component in the analysis was to include the dates of the recent recession against these indicators to identify any trends. The National Bureau of Economic Research dated the recession from December 2007 to June 2009; the recession lasted 18 months. Many core economic indicators primarily used by economists - employment and labor force trends, housing starts, Consumer Price Index, Consumer Confidence Index, retail sales and residential permitting activity - were reviewed. Additionally, this Facts and Figures report includes InFlow and OutFlow data for Hillsborough County's workforce. 

 

A follow-up Facts and Figures is expected later this month after the Census Bureau releases their next American Community Survey. This companion piece will incorporate socio-demographic trends based on the next data release. Taken together, these two reports should provide a snapshot of Hillsborough County's economic and demographic profile at approximately the mid-decade point.

 

View the Facts & Figures including the full report and background data. For more information, contact Terry Eagan at 813.273.3774 x349.
 

At their September 30th meeting, the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization Board (MPO) voted to support Greenlight Pinellas. In a letter to PSTA CEO Brad Miller, County Commission and MPO Chair Mark Sharpe congratulates PSTA on improvements made to service and transit ridership gains over the past several years.

Looking forward to ongoing collaboration with both Pasco and Pinellas Counties to improve local and regional mobility, Commissioner Sharpe stated on behalf of the MPO Board support for the Greenlight initiative to work with the community and providing voters with an opportunity to increase investment in improved transportation in Pinellas, enabling better connections to and from Hillsborough County. Pinellas voters will have their say on the November 4, 2014 ballot.

After 18 months of preparation including extensive Imagine 2040 citizen input, the 2040 Transportation Plan draft is ready for your inspection. Twin plans reflecting two distinct 20-year funding scenarios are being presented for the public to comment on:

• The first scenario illustrates what can be afforded with existing funding sources - equaling $13.5 billion (in inflated dollars)
• The second looks at the addition of a one-cent sales tax - increasing funding to $22.5 billion

Reasonable funding sources to help meet our current and growing transportation needs may be included in the long range transportation plan. The public comment period runs through the Public Hearing to adopt the 2040 Transportation Plan to be held:

   

Date:     Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Time:     5:30 p.m.

Place:    2nd Floor, County Center, 601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa

 

At this hearing, the MPO is expected to adopt one financial scenario as the long range transportation plan for all of Hillsborough County. To remain eligible to spend state and federal dollars on transportation projects, an updated plan must be approved. The MPO encourages citizens to have their say at or before the MPO Board considers adoption of the Plan at the Public Hearing. If you are unable to attend the Public Hearing, please contact us before then with your comments, questions, suggestions, and concerns.

To make a comment or for more information, visit us online or contact Lisa Silva at 813.273.3774 x329. This public hearing will be broadcast live with closed-captioning on HTV or via webcast. Persons planning to attend the Public Hearing in need of special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require interpreter services (free of charge) should contact Michele Ogilvie, 813/273-3774 x317, at least 3 business days in advance.

The MPO does not discriminate in any of its programs or services. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, family or religious status. Learn more about our commitment to nondiscrimination

Issue 18 | October 2014