As you know by now, the Tampa Bay Rays, the City of Tampa, and Hillsborough County have jointly completed a memorandum of understanding that outlines the framework for a new Rays ballpark and a reinvented Hillsborough College Dale Mabry Campus. The envisioned ballpark — our proposed Forever Home — and new college campus will together serve as the centerpiece of a privately financed, mixed-use neighborhood that will elevate Tampa Bay in ways both imaginable and unimaginable.

We are writing to share what this moment means, and to express our gratitude to so many who have made it possible.

To the representatives of Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa, we extend our deep appreciation. You have worked diligently, in good faith, and with genuine commitment to ensure the final proposal is fair, smart, and benefits everyone in our community. You balanced an ambitious timeline with taking a measured approach that served all of us well. You insisted on the terms being right, because our community deserves nothing less than an exceptional agreement. That work — that rigor and care — is why we have an extraordinary memorandum of understanding for our elected officials in the county and city to consider in the days ahead. For that, we thank you.

We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback and encouragement flowing in from every corner of this region since news of the finalized memorandum broke on Thursday. From business leaders and educators, from residents and civic organizations, from fans and community advocates, the response has been clear: this matters. That validation, that belief in what’s possible, continues to drive us. And, it reminds us why we pushed so hard to get to this moment.

This memorandum of understanding represents unprecedented opportunity. It is the result of hard work, thoughtful negotiation and always being cognizant that baseball is only a small fraction of the positive impact that awaits. It includes $55.5 billion in projected economic upside, 11,900 permanent jobs, $6 billion in tax revenue, a transformed Hillsborough College Campus serving 46,000 students, infrastructure improvements West Tampa has needed for decades, workforce development pathways, community benefits, affordable housing commitments, and so much more. This is not merely a ballpark project. This is the definition of transformation.

For Hillsborough College, this is a chance to reimagine the Dale Mabry Campus. Students will return to a newly built campus integrated into a live, work, learn and play district, with direct access to internships, career pathways, professional networks, and world-class employers. It means enhanced facilities, stronger infrastructure, expanded academic and workforce programs, and a campus experience designed around opportunity. For students who come to Hillsborough College looking for a stepping stone to a better future, this project will create new doors to walk through.

Now comes the critical part. We respectfully and urgently encourage the Hillsborough County Commission and the city of Tampa to approve this once-in-a-lifetime plan. Approval will signal to our region, and to the world, that Tampa Bay is ready. It will mean we have finally arrived at a moment when the opportunity is real, the partnership is solid, and the benefits are undeniable.

Yes, “the time is now” may sound like a cliche. But, in this case, it is simply true. There has never been a better time, nor will a better opportunity surface in the future. The plan is right. The partnership is in place. And the future awaits.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Hillsborough College are committed to making this a reality, to delivering on every promise, and to ensuring that the Forever Home becomes a source of pride and opportunity for every resident of Tampa Bay. We are your neighbors, your partners, your fellow citizens. We are proud to be with you.

The best is yet to come.

Ken Babby is the CEO of the Tampa Bay Rays. Dr. Ken Atwater is president of Hillsborough College.