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Economic Vitality measures the quantity and quality of jobs within a region, the relative incomes that its residents earn, the wealth they attain, and economic opportunities for its entrepreneurs.
Innovation measures the extent to which a community and its institutions are generating new ideas and inventions, and the market’s reception of these ideas.
Infrastructure measures the quantity and quality of the investment a region makes in underlying structures, including transportation and broadband internet.
Talent measures who is working today, and how well the region’s talent pipeline is being prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.
Civic Quality measures the affordability of a region, the health and safety of its citizens, and the recreational opportunities that impact its quality of life.
Outcomes measure the growth of the regional economy, the extent to which economic growth is being enjoyed by everyone, and the attractiveness of the region for its current and potential residents.
For the purpose of the Regional Competitiveness Report, the data presented for the Tampa Bay region reflects the eight counties of Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota.
The Tampa Bay Partnership is a coalition of regional business and nonprofit leaders, joined by a shared commitment to improving the personal and economic well-being of Tampa Bay residents. Through its foundation, the Partnership conducts objective, data-driven research to identify the region’s greatest challenges and measure our progress toward shared community goals. This work includes the Regional Competitiveness Report, which helps measure our region's performance against other communities nationwide.
Atlanta, GA, is included in the comparison community set of the Regional Competitiveness Report. Based on metrics from the 2023 edition, Atlanta ranked #5 out of 20, with 87.18% of Atlanta households having a computer and dedicated broadband internet. Tampa Bay ranks 17th at 82.64%.
Atlanta has focused on becoming a technology hub and has made a concerted effort to provide digital access to as many households as possible. The summary below highlights several private-public partnerships, collaborations with nonprofits, and designated initiatives led by the municipal government.
Digital access is critical to ensure households can work and learn from home. Still, communities nationwide face obstacles defined by low access to Wi-Fi and dedicated technology within the home. According to the Digital Bridge, more than 12,000 students (kindergarten through twelfth grade) do not have the internet at home in Atlanta. This digital divide creates barriers to education and learning and may impede digital literacy.
In Atlanta, Georgia, Mayor Andre Dickens has a vision that has helped propel the city towards accomplishing its mission to become a tech hub.
Part of that vision relies on private-public partnerships, collaborations with nonprofits, and designated initiatives led by the municipal government.
For Instance, AT&T has created three Connected Learning Centers in the city as part of their $2 billion commitment to address the digital divide. The first location is inside the Atlanta Police Foundation’s Andrew and Walter Young Family At-Promise Center in Southwest Atlanta. Youth can access free internet, computers, and resources that help them complete homework, study for the GED, apply for work and develop essential job skills.
The Center also offers access to The Achievery, AT&T’s free digital learning platform, digital literacy courses, and workshops created with the Public Library Association.
Another example is Atlanta’s partnership with PCs for People, a nonprofit that supports digital inclusion in underserved areas of the city.
PCs for People is an approved provider for residents who qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This federal program supports at-need families with discounts on broadband and laptops, desktops, and tablets.
As of 2019, over 12% of Fulton County households lack broadband internet or a computer. To expand access, Georgia-Pacific and PCs for People placed an antenna on the GP Center tower, which brought affordable internet to Atlanta’s west side. The organization has worked for nearly two decades to distribute over 260,000 computers and recycle millions of pounds of electronics destined for a landfill.
By joining forces with IKE Smart City, Atlanta has installed interactive kiosks which provide information, resources, and transportation details to the public and can also be used to connect to free Wi-Fi. 25% of the 50 kiosks are installed in underserved areas of the city where digital access is limited.
With an eye on equity, Atlanta has made significant strides towards digital inclusion through thoughtful partnerships which expand access for all.