Bank donates to Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay
TAMPA – Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay will be able to continue its hurricane relief efforts thanks to $50,000 donations from Hancock Whitney Bank and the Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund.
This funding will support recovery efforts for communities affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, providing much-needed resources to help residents rebuild and return home.
Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the Gulf Coast left thousands of families facing long-term recovery challenges. Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay is committed to addressing these challenges by assisting homeowners with the repairs and resources needed to restore their homes.
“The path to recovery after a storm of this magnitude requires collaboration and commitment,” said Jose Garcia, CEO of Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay. “Thanks to the Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund and Hancock Whitney Bank, we can help displaced families return to safe, stable housing and rebuild stronger communities.”
Leading Ladies discuss brand awareness
TAMPA – Christina Jones, of Christina Jones Studio, will talk about the importance of brand awareness at the next Leading Ladies networking event.
The event takes place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 3 at the USF Federal Credit Union, 20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd. Registration costs $15 per person.
Leading Ladies is a program of the North Tampa Chamber to empower and support women. Visit northtampabaychamber.com to learn more about this event and others.
Tampa Metro Area gains private sector jobs
TAMPA – The Tampa metro gained the second-highest number of private sector jobs over the year in November 2024 among all metro areas, according to FloridaCommerce.
The area’s private sector employment increased by 16,800 jobs over the year in November 2024. In November 2024, the Tampa metro area also led the metro areas in job gains over the year in manufacturing (+400 jobs).
The Tampa area unemployment rate was 3.8% in November 2024, up 0.7 percentage point from the November 2023 rate of 3.1%. The Tampa area’s labor force was down 1.4% (-23,014) over the year in November 2024.
Statewide jobless rate remains lower than national rate
TALLAHASSEE – State job creators added 60,100 private sector jobs in November 2024, surpassing pre-hurricane levels, according to FloridaCommerce.
Florida’s unemployment rate has remained lower than the national unemployment rate for 49 consecutive months.
As of November 2024, Florida’s private sector employment is 25,100 jobs higher than in September 2024, prior to Hurricanes Helene and Milton making landfall. Over the past three months, the state has averaged an increase of 8,733 private sector jobs per month – a faster pace than the three months leading up to Hurricane Milton.
Florida job creators have added jobs in 51 of the past 55 months since May 2020.
Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance deadline extended
TALLAHASSEE – FloridaCommerce announced a deadline extension for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene to apply for disaster unemployment assistance.
Assistance is available to residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of these hurricanes and are not eligible for regular state or federal reemployment assistance benefits.
Eligible Floridians whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Milton or Helene are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.
Assistance is available for weeks of unemployment from Oct. 6, 2024 to April 12, 2025 for Milton and Sept. 29, 2024 to March 29, 2025 for Helene as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster in the designated-disaster areas. Jan. 7 is the deadline to submit a claim.
Applications are accepted from several counties, including Hillsborough and Pasco.
Legal videographer earns national certification
RESTON – Jeffery Reynolds has earned the Certified Legal Video Specialist certification from the National Court Reporters Association.
Reynolds, of Tampa, has worked as a legal videographer for two years.
“Earning certification as a Legal Video Specialist through the National Court Reporters Association has provided not only confidence and competency in the legal field but also elevated and demonstrated the commitment to excellence and professionalism within the craft,” Reynolds said.
U-Haul supports local businesses in Tampa
TAMPA – Slicks Super Suds I and Slicks Super Suds II both signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealers to serve the Tampa community, according to U-Haul Co. of Florida.
Slicks Super Suds I (2508 E. 131st Ave.) and Slicks Super Suds II (13200 N. Nebraska Ave.) will offer services like U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, moving supplies and in-store pickup for boxes.
U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers to offer rental equipment to do-it-yourself movers since 1945.
