Grow Financial Supports Tampa Bay Economic Development Council’s CertUp Tampa Campaign

As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we seek to serve and empower low-income communities through increased access to financial products, services and resources. Part of this focus on inclusive economic growth includes workforce development, which can make a critical difference in the lives of many in our community. That’s why we donated $100,000 to the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation’s (TBEPF) first capital campaign, Prosper Tampa Bay. Thanks to funds raised, TBEPF has been able to launch an exciting new initiative for our local community: CertUp Tampa.

Introducing CertUp Tampa

CertUp Tampa is a multimedia campaign that aims to bring career training awareness, jobs and investment into East Tampa, Ybor City, Central Park and Uptown. The initiative educates local residents about short-term career training opportunities that can put them on a fast track to higher-paying, in-demand professions with companies eager to employ them here in Tampa.

Programs and certificate areas include clinical research, healthcare services, cardiac catheterization, cybersecurity, welding and over 180 others, with both online and in-classroom options to fit the needs of different individuals. CertUp also helps with one of the major challenges facing career changers today: deciding how to fund their education. CertUp connects people with one-to-one guidance around financial aid options, including loans, grants and scholarships.

Michelle Bauer, Chief Operating Officer for Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, said, “The CertUp campaign is part of the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation’s Inclusive Economic Growth Initiative, which is focused on bringing catalytic projects and significant investment into East Tampa. Our deepest gratitude to all [the donors] for supporting this pilot campaign, which will run through early January 2023.” We were happy to support these efforts toward greater economic prosperity in underserved communities throughout Tampa, and we look forward to what we know will be an incredible impact through CertUp Tampa.

If you or someone you know is looking for guidance around changing careers, learn more about CertUp Tampa here.

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