Cuban economic impact to Tampa Bay? (Miami: to buy, living, price)

[The Villages Guy]

With the upcoming change of relationship with Cuba, the local news tonight said there will be significant economic impact on Tampa Bay specifically. On the positive side, it was stated that Port Tampa Bay would see a huge increase in business, resulting in an additional 20,000 jobs and an annual influx of $1 Billion dollars. On the negative side, there is the fear Tampa Bay would lose some tourism business to Cuba.

What are your thoughts on the economic impact to Tampa Bay?

Favor - Let's please keep this to Tampa Bay only and non political. This is a serious subject with big time economic impact to Tampa Bay. Thx.

[LKJ1988]

I am sure it would help with shipping and flights out of TIA.

[HWTechGuy]

Cigar shops will do well.

[Not_liking_FL]

I doubt adding 20,000 decent jobs(assuming these are decent jobs)will have too much negative impact on Tampa. Jobs with the port and logistics will probably pay better than a bellhop at the beach or a Wal-Mart greeter.

[Pragmaticus]

Wow, this is great news. Can't wait to buy my cheap tickets.

[TampaBull13]

Originally Posted by HWTechGuy

Cigar shops will do well.

But what about the local cigar manufacturers and their employees?

Will Cuesta Rey, for example, be able to compete with actual Cubans being imported?

I doubt they can just reduce their price... people will want to get actual Cubans and I would think now legal, they can be imported and sold rather cheaply

[Vannort54]

Tampa will get some business but Miami will see the biggest impact. It's a shorted distance to ship from there. I can see more train and semi traffic for the ports in Miami. It's cheaper to ship from there than from here. Autos and other goods can be shipped there by rail offloaded than shipped by container ships from there. Tampa can be a good switching yard or semi trucks to be taken to Miami. Distance is money the shorter the distance the cheaper the shipping charges. This is only my opinion. Why would this be good for the cigar making business now you can get them direct from Cuba. Soon every smoke shop in the USA will have Cuban cigars if trade is established with Cuba again.

[AES328]

I can't wait to do some sightseeing in Cuba, and bring back cigars/rum.

[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by TampaBull13

But what about the local cigar manufacturers and their employees?

Will Cuesta Rey, for example, be able to compete with actual Cubans being imported?

I doubt they can just reduce their price... people will want to get actual Cubans and I would think now legal, they can be imported and sold rather cheaply

That works both ways scarcity drives the demand for Cubans once they are cheap that will drive down the demand, also Tampa cigar manufactures will have access to Cuban tobacco.

[BucFan]

I have no big desire to go see Cuba as a tourist except to witness what living under an evil dictator will bring a population. I sure as heck wouldn't recommend to anyone to get into trouble over there unless you want to sit in a cell without any sort of rights is your pleasure.