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Residents urge Hillsborough County to cut funding for Florida Israel Business Accelerator; supporters defend program
Summary
Dozens of speakers at a Hillsborough County budget hearing urged commissioners to remove a planned county grant to the Florida Israel Business Accelerator (FIBBA), arguing local needs should come first; supporters told the board the program attracts jobs and investment to the region.
Dozens of residents urged the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners during public comment to remove county funding for the Florida Israel Business Accelerator (FIBBA), saying tax dollars should be spent on local services.
"We believe that our Hillsborough County tax dollars should be spent in Hillsborough County," resident Nadia Oscar told the board, asking commissioners to remove all funding to FIBBA and instead invest in schools, transit, social services and shelters. Several other speakers echoed that call, citing needs including stormwater infrastructure, maternal health and affordable housing.
Supporters of the accelerator disputed those criticisms. "Hillsborough County is not giving public money to Israeli companies," entrepreneur Alfred Goldberg said, arguing the accelerator connects international firms to local investors and customers and should be judged on economic results rather than international politics.
Student Ria Shringari framed the budget choice in terms of climate and health risks, urging investment in stormwater and women's health services rather than programs whose beneficiaries she said are primarily overseas. Other speakers cited alleged links between some FIBBA participants and defense-related technologies and asked the county to examine whether county support aligns with local values.
The public-comment portion of the hearing included a mix of advocacy and factual claims. Several speakers cited dollar figures: one speaker said the county provides an average $75,000 annual grant to FIBBA; another speaker said FIBBA-affiliated startups have raised $1.5 billion (as reported by the program). Board staff and presenters did not take public comment on legal questions raised — including whether the Leahy law could apply — during that segment.
The board did not act on the FIBBA grant during public comment; the program and its funding commitments remain subject to the board's budget decisions during the reconciliation process and at later public hearings.
