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Hillsborough County officials have indicated that discussions about the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposal for a new stadium will be postponed for a considerable period. The issue of scheduling a board meeting to address the proposal remains pending.
In a communication sent to commissioners on Thursday, Deputy Administrator Gregory Horwedel addressed the situation, stating:
“Our staff has received numerous inquiries concerning the timeline for addressing the Rays’ proposal for a new stadium and the associated development in Tampa. We are actively assessing the financial aspects of the proposal. Funding for such projects is typically intricate, involving both public and private sources. As previously noted by the County Administrator, our approach to potential public fund usage is guided by three principles: the County is not inclined to assume development risks, jeopardize our AAA credit rating, or finance items lacking public benefit. Consequently, the earliest anticipated Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting to discuss the Rays’ proposal is April 15, 2026. No ballpark-related discussions are planned for the April 1st BOCC meeting agenda.”