Inc. Magazine’s July/August covert story says it all: Bring on The Entrepreneurs! Their plan - detailed in a special report consisting of 16 points - begins with an urgent call for more startups.

Juxtaposed against this backdrop is Intel’s former CEO Andrew Groves - urging America to get serous about investing in the infrastructure critical to sustaining a world class economy just as Intel did when they built new manufacturing facilities to prepare for the next wave of demand. Do we have it in us to to renew America’s economic might with sustained growth? And if so - where will it start? From policies engineered in Washington or from the garages and small shops of mainstream America?

Over the next 2 months I will be writing about how we can unleash the next great economic boom through a full court press that starts right here in Tampa Bay. Hillsborough County is intent on streamlining it’s local government, simplifying permitting and startup processes while aggressively centering our local governments vision on a simple but sustainable mission: Infrastructure and core services. Mission creep has broadened our scope beyond the taxpayers capacity to sustain operations. We are now retooling so that what we do - we do superbly, while forging new alliances with non-profits and and other entities to take up those operations best served by others. This way we cut spending, reducing the burden on property owners and small business, while still building a foundation of well planned infrastructure networks critical to any modern economy.

Our Universities and Community College coupled with a solid and growing cluster of jobs in the life science industry provide us a roadmap towards strong recovery and high wage jobs for college graduates and those starting a new career. Great schools, coupled with a friendly climate, smart workers, and infrastructure designed to get people and goods to market quickly will radiate opportunity creating a thriving market for new entrepreneurs. Low property taxes and streamlined government will make our region a favorite destination for those ready to rebuild the American dream through job creation.

Join me as we work towards his new beginning and please be sure to post your comments at Marksharpefl on Facebook.

Mark Sharpe