Comm Voice
St. Petersburg business community: Please keep working with Rays
Welcome to the Catalyst’s Community Voices platform. We’ve curated community leaders and thinkers from all parts of our great city to speak on issues that affect us all. Visit our Community Voices page for more details.
The Honorable Mayor Rick Kriseman
City of St. Petersburg
May 27, 2021
Mayor Kriseman,
Representing many of St. Pete’s business organizations, we want to underscore the importance of the
Tampa Bay Rays as an existing business in our city, having a strong impact on our economy, community,
and sense of place.
We are grateful for the Rays’ role as a local employer, corporate citizen and a source of positive publicity
for our city and region. In order to focus on forward progress, we feel confident that the city and county
should continue to pursue discussions and actions to keep our hometown team in St. Pete. This is where
they belong. Recent news regarding a lawsuit between members of the Rays’ ownership group should
not distract or delay the momentum. We want to focus our energy and conversations on finding a
constructive path forward as we strive to keep this important business asset as part of our community.
The presence of the Rays and the many other companies that are choosing to grow and relocate to St.
Petersburg demonstrates the collective impact that we are having on our great city. Our organizations are
committed to working with you and your administration along with the Rays, to retain the company in St.
Pete.
We appreciate our partnership with you and your administration and look forward to supporting the
effort in forging positive, productive and thoughtful conversations for shared benefit. Thank you.
cc: St. Petersburg City Council
Pinellas County Commission
St. Petersburg Chamber Board
St. Petersburg EDC Board
St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Board