Tampa, Florida | Economic Development & Funding Brief | October 2026
Azzi Industrial Commons
Advanced Manufacturing · Paid Apprenticeships · Workforce Housing
Azzi Industrial Commons is a planned industrial campus in Tampa Bay bringing advanced manufacturing, paid apprenticeships, employer recruitment, and workforce housing together in one integrated development.
Developed by Azzi Industries LLC, with Blue Lotus Corporation as its manufacturing anchor and operator, the Commons builds on Blue Lotus's existing network of more than 90 manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, and industry relationships to expand domestic production and develop skilled workers for manufacturers throughout the region.
The Regional Opportunity
Tampa Bay has a substantial manufacturing economy, yet employers continue to report difficulty finding workers with practical production experience. At a Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA) roundtable with Congressman Gus Bilirakis, regional manufacturers identified skilled workforce shortages as a major challenge.
For employers, the challenge is finding people who can contribute on the production floor. For aspiring tradespeople, it is gaining experience before being hired. Azzi Industrial Commons is designed to help bridge that gap by bringing manufacturing, paid training, and regional employment opportunities together.
The initiative also supports broader priorities around domestic manufacturing and defense supply-chain resilience. Tampa Bay's industrial base and the presence of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base provide a strong regional setting for this mission.
Source: Bay Area Manufacturers Association / Florida Manufacturing Report, 2022 regional economic data.
A Regional Manufacturing & Workforce Development Model
- 1Employer Demand
- 2Paid Production Training
- 3Local Employment
Manufacturing & Contracting
Blue Lotus Corporation will anchor manufacturing operations and pursue commercial, federal, and defense production opportunities. Its existing industry network also provides a foundation for coordinating projects with independent manufacturers, drawing on their complementary capabilities without requiring them to become part of Blue Lotus.
Paid Apprenticeships
The Academy will combine technical instruction with paid, supervised experience on actual manufacturing projects. Participants will develop practical skills in an active production environment, preparing them for careers with manufacturers throughout Tampa Bay.
Employer Recruitment & Placement
A dedicated on-site office will gather regional employers' hiring requirements, help align training with the skills they need, and connect qualified graduates with local manufacturing opportunities.
Workforce Housing & Facilities
Planned affordable workforce housing, classrooms, offices, shared dining, and collaborative spaces will support training, relocation, and long-term employment in Tampa Bay.
Regional Talent Attraction
The Commons intends to attract veterans, transitioning service members, skilled tradespeople, and career changers to relocate to Tampa Bay for manufacturing careers. Planned digital outreach and recruitment activities will help introduce these opportunities to people beyond the region, while connecting them with local training and employment pathways.
Industrial Foundation & Development Progress
Established
Established Foundation & Formal Support
- Blue Lotus's existing network of more than 90 manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, and industry relationships.
- Letters of support received from Congressman Gus Bilirakis and the Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA).
- Preliminary campus master planning and steering committee engagement.
Active engagement
Site, Equipment & Education Engagement
- Tampa Bay EDC: Engaged in site identification and evaluation.
- Tampa Electric (TECO): Has expressed interest in supporting the initiative.
- Spinner CNC: Has discussed matching equipment to proposed manufacturing projects and providing preferential pricing, subject to final terms.
- AMSkills and Pinellas Technical College: Engaged in discussions informing potential workforce pathways.
Underway
Employer-Driven Workforce Planning
With BAMA's support and introductions, the project is preparing outreach to manufacturers throughout Tampa Bay to document anticipated hiring needs over the next two to five years.
This information will help determine required technical skills, inform Academy training, and establish pathways into local manufacturing employment.
Development Priorities & Grant Funding
Development Priorities
Proposed Phase 1
Establish Manufacturing Operations
The initial phase will focus on site development, essential infrastructure, manufacturing facilities, production equipment, and the operational capacity needed to begin commercial manufacturing activity.
Initial workforce training may develop alongside these operations, providing the foundation for a full Training Academy and expanded educational facilities in subsequent development phases.
Current Priorities
Advance site evaluation with Tampa Bay EDC, document regional employer demand through BAMA-supported introductions, define production and equipment requirements, and prepare detailed project scopes and budgets suitable for grant and funding applications.
Funding Sought
The Commons is pursuing federal, state, and local grants, economic development assistance, and public-sector partnerships for eligible manufacturing infrastructure, equipment, workforce development, veteran transition, and affordable workforce housing components.
Phased Development
The campus is intended to grow incrementally, with additional facilities and programs developed in response to manufacturing demand, operational performance, workforce needs, and available funding.