SRI International Awarded Contract to Conduct Industry and Workforce Analysis and Strategy Development for the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and Tampa Bay Partnership
July 12, 2010—SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, announced today that it has been awarded a $525,000 contract to conduct detailed industry cluster and workforce analysis for the Tampa Bay region and to develop strategies to strengthen the region's economy and workforce. The project will encompass eight counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota. Three metropolitan areas, Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Lakeland-Winter Haven, and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, also will be included in the analysis.
The study is designed to help regional leaders understand the performance of the region's industry clusters compared to competitors, the strengths and weaknesses of the region's workforce and educational/training systems, and the important market dynamics that will influence the region's development strategies. SRI researchers also will offer insights regarding the performance of the region's innovation system, using metrics such as patents and publications in key sectors, university start-ups and spinoffs, and university and private research and development. Based on the overlap of regional assets and market needs, SRI will define areas where the region's industry and workforce strengths can be leveraged through a comprehensive and targeted regional strategy.
"SRI International is proud to play an important role developing a comprehensive regional analysis and creative, forward-looking and viable strategies for the future," said Ophelia Yeung, director of the economics program, and co-director of the Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development (CSTED), SRI International. "Our methodology has been applied successfully in SRI's work with dozens of clients over the past decades. We look forward to specifically addressing the current and future industry and workforce needs in the Tampa Bay region. "SRI will complete its analysis and present strategies for industry cluster and workforce strengthening to regional stakeholders by March 2011."
