🌱 Electric Bills Rising By As Much As 40 Percent + Embarc Collective

Hello, neighbors. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in the community. In this issue, we'll touch on...

• Hillsborough County leaders met Wednesday to discuss how to spend half a billion dollars collected from taxpayers from a transportation tax in 2018.
• A Tampa-based incubator for startups and tech companies has been named as one of the best in the world.
• Electric bills could be rising by as much as 10 to 40 percent soon for residents throughout Florida, including Tampa.

Now, today's weather:

Turning sunny; cooler. High: 64 Low: 45.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Tampa General Hospital is going mobile with two new health units using funds from the COVID-19 CARES Act provided by Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. The unit is operated by the TGH Mobile Care to You program. Mobile services planned include physicals, COVID-19 testing, health fairs and screenings, immunizations, and more. (Tampa Patch)
2. Hillsborough County leaders met on Wednesday to discuss how to spend half a billion dollars collected from a penny tax passed in 2018 that became tied up in litigation and was originally meant for transit projects. A plan must be submitted to the Florida legislature for approval. Leaders hope to receive the money by summer 2023. (ABC Action News)
3. Florida Power and Light, Duke Energy, and Tampa Electric are pushing to increase power rates in Florida by as much as 10 to 40 percent on consumers, including in the Tampa Bay area. The increases come amid an affordable housing crisis and Tampa making headlines as one of the worst places for inflation in the United States. Local businesses are decrying the move as harmful. (Bay News 9)
4. Embarc Collective in Tampa has been named as one of the top incubators in the world by UBI Global in its Innovation For Business Incubators and Accelerators World Rankings for 2021-2022. Embarc serves over 100 tech companies and startups. (St. Pete Catalyst)
5. Torchy’s Tacos soft opens Monday, Jan. 30 at 2314 Tyrone Blvd. from 5 to 8 p.m. near Portillo's in Pinellas County. The grand opening will be held on Feb. 1. The restaurant started in Austin, Texas back in 2006. (That's So Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Gasparilla Networking at Networking Leads Coffee. (11 a.m.)
• Ceramics at Tampa Museum Of Art. (11 a.m.)
• Rum Appreciation And Certification at Armature Works Show + Tell. (6 p.m.)
• Mole Mexican Food Cooking Class at Southern Brewery. (6 p.m.)
• FREAKY at Tampa Karaoke VIP / TK Lounge. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "Congrats on 500, Captain!" (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay shared: "Everyone say hello to Bandar! 🐅 He's a 9-year-old endangered male Sumatran tiger who's joined our diverse collection of more than 200 animal species. Bandar was transferred from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington." (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Visit Tampa Bay shared: "The Tampa Riverwalk was nominated by USA TODAY's 10Best editors and it currently ranks 3rd in the public vote." (Visit Tampa Bay via Facebook)

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Events:

• TerraNova Equestrian Grand Prix Brunch (January 28)
• Pinellas TacoFest (January 28)
• Split Rock Jumping Tour Championship Series - Day of Family Fun! (January 29)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (January 31)
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You're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com