TAMPA – This weeks Tampa Bay Business Journal segment, editor Alexis Muellner discusses what higher education is failing to teach students about business. the positive signs for business in Plant City, and the possibility the Blue Jays will keep Dunedin as their spring training home.

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The Business Journal recently brought together some higher education executives for a roundtable discussion. They educators say their institutions are under a lot of pressure to supply the type of students the workplaces of tomorrow require.

What is surprising is they said many students are leaving school lacking soft skills, the ability to communicate and write well enough to land and keep a job.

The question schools are now trying to answer is what methods or programs they need to change so students are able to learn those skills.

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Lakeland is a hub of distribution centers, including the recently-opened Amazon warehouse.

Plant City , located just ten miles to the west in Hillsborough County, is now trying to emulate Lakelands success. Three years ago the city forged a partnership with the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.

Plant City put infrastructure, such as sewer and water lines, along County Line Road in an effort to attract businesses to move to the area.

Central Florida Development is already building a 100,000-square-foot warehouse there and is planning to put up another one next door. The Business Journal was also first to report that area is where Fitlife Foods is planning to construct a food production center to manufacture its low-calorie, low-sodium prepared foods.

Alexis believes this shows Plant Citys city leaders realize the importance that the city determine its own economic future.

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Dunedin city leaders are trying to keep the Toronto Blue Jays from moving its spring training operations from the city.

The Blue Jays have called Dunedin their spring home since 1977. Florida Auto Exchange Stadium is also the home to Torontos Florida State Class-A team.

One major problem is the stadium is located approximately four miles away from the teams spring training practice fields. Compare that to the New York Yankees facility in Tampa where the practice fields are next to and across the street from Steinbrenner Field.

Mayor Julie Bajalski recently went to Toronto to try to negotiate a contract extension with the Blue Jay.

Bajalski did not finalize any deal with the Major League Baseball club. However, she is confident the situation could be settled in Dunedins favor by the end of the year.

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For more information on these stories, click on the video player, go to youtu.be/84wxSut8QsY or pick up this weeks Tampa Bay Business Journal available on newsstands and online .

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