Many in the Tampa Bay region are feeling the affects of Hurricane Ian. Though we were lucky to have relatively minor impacts locally - family, friends and colleagues across the state are dealing devastating damage. I've been impressed with the generosity of our community as people arrange caravans to take supplies south, or donate to nonprofits. I encourage you to show your support to our neighbors in any way you can. You never know when it will be us needing their kindness.
I also want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts by members of the Innovation District in the lead up and recovery after Hurricane Ian. Their work has local, state-wide and even national impact.
Click on the links below to read more about their impressive work.
Saildrone and NOAA collected data in the air and on the water surface to assist in the development of tracking models and impact analysis.
US Coast Guard Sector St Pete and Air Station Clearwater conducted search and rescue operations during and after the storm.
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and Bayfront Health St. Pete assisted in evacuating hospitalized patients.
Poynter Institute prepared journalists behind the scenes.
USF St. Pete campus opened their student center to community members without electricity so that they could recharge their cell phones and take a break in air conditioning.
Stay safe!
Alison Barlow, Executive Director
Join us on our next tour of the Innovation District! Our tour will begin at the HUB, and we will board a trolley with other Innovation District partners. As we travel throughout the District, you will learn about the fascinating history and exciting future plans for the area. We will make several stops for a unique insider view of the research and collaborations underway. Participants are invited to enjoy a networking happy hour back at the HUB, where our tour will conclude.
A group of support organizations, led by the Innovation District and fueled by a grant from Duke Energy, developed our first Tampa Bay Innovation Ecosystem Map in 2023. We aim to continue guiding entrepreneurs to the best possible resources with an updated version.
Josh Rojas of Bay News 9 recently visited the Maritime and Defense Tech Hub, where he was welcomed by CEO Alison Barlow and COO Lauren Bell for a discussion about the building’s future expansion. The Hub is already home to a thriving community of companies and demand continues to grow. To accommodate this momentum, leaders are envisioning Hub 2.0, a second building proposed for the west parking lot.