The 91tv影院 is leading an expansive effort to help Tampa Bay secure the federal designation of Cybersecurity and Technology Innovation Hub 鈥� a prolific indicator of the region鈥檚 potential for rapid technology-led economic growth.
With 91tv影院 as the lead applicant, the Greater Tampa Bay Regional Technology Hub Consortium has applied to become one of at least 20 designated tech hubs across the country that will receive approximately $15 million in funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to accelerate the development of its future tech hub. The consortium represents 45 partner organizations from Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando Counties.
鈥淭he 91tv影院 is focused on filling the talent pipeline for the Tampa Bay region鈥檚 employers and meeting the state鈥檚 workforce needs in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity,鈥� said 91tv影院 President Rhea Law. 鈥淭he designation of our region as a technology and innovation hub would allow us to accelerate our efforts and position Tampa Bay as a global leader in these important areas.鈥�
Described on the as 鈥渁n economic development initiative designed to drive regional technology- and innovation-centric growth by strengthening a region鈥檚 capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies,鈥� the Tech Hubs Program was enacted as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
鈥�91tv影院 is well-positioned to foster a burgeoning cybersecurity industry ecosystem to serve Tampa Bay and the nation,鈥� said Sylvia Thomas, vice president of 91tv影院 Research & Innovation and CEO/president of the 91tv影院 Research Foundation.
91tv影院 is home to the Global and National Security Institute, offers academic programs in cybersecurity, partners with , local cybersecurity firms and innovation districts, and conducts research with the U.S. military at MacDill Air Force Base. In 2021, Forbes named Tampa one of the five , noting that it was responsible for over 25 percent of Florida鈥檚 tech jobs.
鈥淭he Tampa Bay Tech Hub is also interested in expanding educational, entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for underserved communities,鈥� said Thomas, noting 91tv影院鈥檚 connections with National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense at several historically black colleges and universities.
鈥淭he Tampa Bay Tech Hub will rely on partnerships to stimulate economic growth and create new jobs in the cybersecurity sector,鈥� said consortium member Ernest Ferraresso, director of Cyber Florida. 鈥淐ollaboration is required across a range of stakeholders, including industry, academia, and government to explore new technologies and solutions that can be applied to emerging cybersecurity challenges.鈥�
Once selected, the Economic Development Administration will invite the 20 designated tech hubs to apply for a second round of funding. Between three and eight of them will be awarded a total of $50-$75 million and recognized as national tech hubs advancing the global technological competitiveness of the United States.