Several organizations receive NOAA grant aimed at growing Tampa Bay’s ‘marine economy’

Growing Tampa's coastal economy

FOX 13's Briona Arradondo reports on the Tampa Bay area receiving a new $13.9 million grant for startup companies as the city pushes to become more economically resilient after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay area’s coast took a hit during the hurricane season this year, and there’s a push to make it even more resilient with a new $13.9 million grant for startup companies.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) gave several Bay Area organizations and the University of South Florida a nearly $14 million grant to fund small businesses looking to solve problems around the region’s coast and grow the marine economy.

"The blue economy or the ocean economy is so vast in Tampa Bay. There’s lots of different problems to solve," said Alison Barlow, the executive director of the St. Petersburg Innovation District.

READ: Hurricane recovery, resiliency part of 2025 legislative priorities for St. Pete

The St. Petersburg Innovation District and USF will work with The Continuum, led by Tampa Bay Wave and SeaWorthy Collective, to find startups from various areas, ranging from boating to tourism, fishing and more.

"They may be working with commercial shipping, with hospitality, or tracking fish," said Barlow. "I mean there’s lots of things in there. But, we’re also looking for those companies that are in other technologies and other fields, say financial services or cybersecurity."

USF’s academic minds will help contribute with more coastal concerns.

"So, what is it that policymakers need to do to make our coast more resilient? And we think there’s an innovation bit to this," said Steve Murawski, a professor with USF’s College of Marine Science.

MORE: Water quality becomes concern for advocates charting new path forward after hurricanes

Murawski said the 2024 hurricanes are top of mind with questions like how to build higher sea walls or raise homes.

"When you think about making a large region like Tampa Bay more resilient to hurricanes, it’s going to be expensive no matter what you do and targeting whatever you’re going to spend to the places that give you the biggest bang for your buck would kind of be a positive outcome for this project," said Murawski.

The grant gives the organizations and USF four years to brainstorm, get creative and grow.

"What we’re hoping comes out of this first and foremost is we take these ideas and create a company. That means they’re hiring local people. That means they’re growing and selling here locally and selling around the country and the money is coming back into Tampa Bay," said Barlow.

The organizations involved are already talking with people from the port and other marine connections on how to move Tampa Bay forward. Barlow said about half of the grant money will go directly to helping those startups grow.

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