Issue #679: Tampa Defense Startup Scores $10M, YMCA Opens To 6,300 Members, Bucs Tap Rookie QB, Rays Gain 628,000 Fans

In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

WEATHER 

Local News

— Tampa Drone Company Lands $10 Million Investment as Defense Business Grows

— Wesley Chapel’s First YMCA Opens With More Than 6,300 Members Already Enrolled

Sports

— Bucs Turn to Rookie Jalon Daniels After Mayfield Suffers Thumb Injury

— Rays Add 628,000 Fans as MLB Attendance Reaches Highest Level Since 2017

Tampa Drone Company Lands $10 Million Investment as Defense Business Grows

Tampa-based drone developer Draganfly is raising $10 million from two investors as it expands its defense business and develops autonomous technology for customers in the United States and abroad.

Drone manufacturer Unusual Machines is investing $5 million, while an unnamed U.S. investment fund is contributing another $5 million. The financing involves approximately 1.87 million new shares priced at $5.35 each. Draganfly plans to use the proceeds for product development and working capital.

The investment follows an initial contract to provide 100 tactical surveillance drones to the Canadian Armed Forces, with options that could eventually expand the purchase to as many as 4,900 systems.

Draganfly is also growing its U.S. defense operations as demand for domestically manufactured drones and autonomous systems increases. The transaction is expected to close Sept. 29, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Read More: tbbwmag.com

Wesley Chapel’s First YMCA Opens With More Than 6,300 Members Already Enrolled

Wesley Chapel’s first YMCA officially opened Monday, bringing a major new recreation and wellness destination to one of Pasco County’s fastest-growing communities.

The Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA is a two-story, 49,319-square-foot facility expected to serve more than 40,000 households and create over 300 jobs. Amenities include lap and teaching pools, a family adventure pool, gymnasium, exercise studios, wellness facilities and smart strength-training technology.

Located next to BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel on land leased from BayCare Health System, the YMCA also offers youth sports, summer camps, supervised child watch and chronic disease prevention programs.

The facility arrives after six years of planning, with more than 25,000 children and 20,000 seniors living nearby. Demand was strong before opening day: more than 6,300 members had already enrolled, demonstrating the community’s appetite for a convenient, family-focused fitness and recreation destination.

Read More: baynews9.com

Here’s a remarkable one: the YMCA helped give the world not just basketball, but volleyball and racquetball as well.

Basketball was invented in 1891 by YMCA instructor James Naismith, who was trying to devise an indoor winter activity for a particularly difficult-to-engage class. Just four years later, YMCA instructor William G. Morgan invented volleyball as a less physically demanding alternative to basketball. Then, in 1950, YMCA volunteer Joe Sobek invented racquetball in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Bucs Turn to Rookie Jalon Daniels After Mayfield Suffers Thumb Injury

The Buccaneers may be turning to undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels after Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb late in Tampa Bay’s 23-16 loss to Minnesota, dropping the team to 0-3.

Mayfield was scheduled for an MRI Monday to determine the injury’s severity, but the setback could sideline him for multiple weeks. That puts Daniels in position to potentially make his first NFL start in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers.

The former Kansas quarterback won Tampa Bay’s backup job after an impressive training camp and preseason, beating out veteran Jake Browning. Daniels saw his first regular-season action against Minnesota, entering late with the Bucs needing a touchdown to tie.

Daniels said he was focused on operating the offense when called upon. All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs praised the rookie’s composure, saying teammates encouraged him to “let it rip” in a difficult situation.

Read More: pewterreport.com

Rays Add 628,000 Fans as MLB Attendance Reaches Highest Level Since 2017

Major League Baseball recorded its fourth consecutive season of attendance growth in 2026, and the Tampa Bay Rays played an outsized role in keeping the streak alive.

MLB drew 71,752,722 fans, its highest total since 2017 and up 343,301, or 0.48%, from 2025. The Rays alone attracted 628,225 more fans than last season, when hurricane damage forced the club to play home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field while Tropicana Field underwent repairs.

Tampa Bay’s return to the Trop therefore accounted for more than the league’s entire net attendance increase, offsetting declines elsewhere. Across MLB, 13 teams increased attendance while 17 declined.

Other significant gains came from the White Sox, Blue Jays and Mariners. Meanwhile, the Dodgers topped 4 million fans, and Toronto, San Diego, the Yankees and Phillies each surpassed 3 million. MLB last recorded four straight years of attendance growth from 2004 through 2007.

Read More: forbes.com

Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series

Theater
- NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre

Misc
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com

For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids

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