By Ralph

 

Brandon-area residents who rely on CareerSource Tampa Bay for employment assistance will soon have to travel to another location for in-person services.

CareerSource Tampa Bay has announced that its Brandon Center, located at 6302 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 120, will permanently close on Friday, August 28, 2026.

 

The organization says the change was not anticipated. CareerSource Tampa Bay is now evaluating possible new locations and partnerships that could allow it to continue providing services in the Brandon community. No specific reason for the closure was given in the official announcement.

 

What the Center Provides

CareerSource Tampa Bay helps people looking for work as well as those considering a career change. Its services include career planning, job-search assistance, access to job listings and employment resources, workshops and other workforce programs.

The Brandon Center remains open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the closure.

 

CareerSource also continues to have activities scheduled there before August 28, including a Resume & Cover Letter Power Hour and Open Lab Hours on Wednesday, August 19.

 

Where Can Brandon Residents Go After August 28?

CareerSource Tampa Bay says services will remain available through its other career centers across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

 

For residents on the Brandon side of Hillsborough County, options include:

 

Plant City Center
307 N. Michigan Ave.
Plant City, FL 33563

 

Ruskin Center
201 14th Ave. SE
Ruskin, FL 33570

 

Tampa Center
9215 N. Florida Ave.
Tampa, FL 33612

 

The three locations are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., although the Plant City and Ruskin locations close for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

 

What Happens Next?

The August 28 closure may not necessarily mean the permanent end of CareerSource's physical presence in the Brandon area.

 

CareerSource says it is actively looking at potential locations and exploring other ways of serving Brandon, including the possibility of sharing space with another organization.

 

For now, anyone who currently uses the Brandon Center should take note of the August 28 closing date and become familiar with the alternative locations and online resources before the transition.

 

Crosstown Journal will continue watching the situation, particularly whether CareerSource announces a replacement location or new partnership serving the Brandon community.

 

Official information: CareerSource Tampa Bay's Brandon Center closure announcement