Jane Castor highlights economic growth, public works as Tampa heads into 2026

As 2025 comes to a close, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says the city is entering the new year with momentum built on economic growth, major infrastructure investments and continued recovery from last year’s hurricanes.

Castor outlined the city’s progress in her year-end remarks, pointing to national recognition for Tampa’s economy and a slate of public works projects completed or launched over the past year.

Tampa ranked second among mid-sized U.S. cities for economic growth, with the local economy expanding 43% and paychecks rising 38%, according to a national study. The city also earned the top ranking for U.S. Cities for Foreign Businesses by the Financial Times, climbing from No. 26 in just one year.

“As we close out 2025, I am raising a toast to a year full of big wins and even bigger plans for our city in the year ahead,” Castor wrote in her newsletter.

Castor highlighted several projects as examples of the city’s success, including the October groundbreaking of the $57 million West Riverwalk expansion. Once completed, the project will create 12.2 miles of continuous waterfront trail connecting West Tampa, Tampa Heights, downtown and surrounding areas.

The city also completed a $17 million upgrade to the Bayshore Wastewater Pumping Station through its PIPES program, part of an ongoing effort to strengthen long-term infrastructure.

Tampa’s Mobility Department resurfaced 76 miles of roadways in 2025 with the addition of a second paving machine and crew. City officials reported a record 21 miles paved in November.

Castor also pointed to continued rebuilding efforts following last year’s hurricanes, including the reopening of community centers and the restoration of parks across the city.

Castor’s newsletter also highlights end-of-year events that continue this week, with the ReliaQuest Bowl Parade returning to Ybor City on Tuesday ahead of the Dec. 31 college football matchup between the University of Iowa and Vanderbilt University at Raymond James Stadium.

To promote safe travel during New Year’s Eve, the Farah & Farah law firm is offering $50 Uber credits through its 10th annual Safe Ride Home Program. Credits are available from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 through 6 a.m. Jan. 1.

City offices will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Day. Free Christmas tree collection begins Jan. 2. Residents are asked to remove all decorations, cut limbs to 4 feet or less and place trees at the curb on their regular yard waste collection day. Plain paper, cardboard and paper cards can be recycled in green carts, while foil paper, ribbons, bows and string lights should be placed in the trash and sent to the McKay Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility.

Additional seasonal events include the city’s fourth annual Three Kings Day Celebration on Jan. 3 at Al Lopez Park and Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, which runs through Jan. 4. The Sulphur Springs Neighborhood Action Plan survey remains open through Jan. 5, and residents can register for free composting workshops through the city.

Upcoming community opportunities also include a Saturday Session focused on neighborhood trees on Jan. 17 and the annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count on Feb. 26.

“The City of Tampa is heading into 2026 with big plans and even bigger gratitude for this community,” Castor said. “Here is to a happy, healthy, and peaceful new year.”