* WalletHub’s 2022 report of “The Best College Towns & Cities in America” has Tampa ranked No. 2 in the large cities (300,000 plus) category, right behind Austin. The criteria ranges from educational quality and cost of living to crime rates and living conditions. (The rest of the top 10: Raleigh, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Atlanta, Miami, Columbus, Las Vegas and Cincinnati.) Go, Bulls; go, Spartans.
* The U.S. saw a GDP drop of 3.4 percent in 2020; Florida dropped 2.8 percent; and Hillsborough County dropped 1.9 percent—from $85.2 billion to $83.6 billion. Not surprising that hospitality and entertainment took the biggest hits.
* On the other hand. The federal government has reported that the national inflation rate rose 6.8 percent in November (compared to last year). That included a Tampa Bay inflation rate up 8 percent. The latter, however, may be a sign that this regional economy is recovering faster.
* St. Petersburg City Council voted to create a program of reparations to address decades of structural racism that has had too long a shelf life. It wouldn’t involve checks to individuals– however that could have been implemented–but investment in affordable housing, educational programs and economic development. It’s more than a theory that racism has had societal ripple effects over the post-slavery and post-Reconstruction generations. It’s only fair that investments that can have positive collective impact on lives address this opprobrious reality properly. Finally.
* The top five U.S. real estate markets for 2021 according to PWC and Urban Land Institute: 1-Nashville, 2-Raleigh-Durham, 3-Phoenix, 4-Austin, 5-Tampa-St. Petersburg.
* Tampa has plenty of dog parks. They all have their own way of reminding dog owners of certain protocols. Especially, you know what. The Deputy John Kotfila Jr. Memorial Dog Park under the Selmon Expressway in Channelside varies its signage approach—from friendly, even humorous reminders to blunt, bottom line reality. It ranges from “No Pile Left Behind” to “There Is No Poo Fairy—Waste Attracts Rats & Transmits Disease.” But if owners spend all their time on their phone, it doesn’t matter.