RNC helps local businesses create jobs

TAMPA - In a small south Tampa kitchen, they are cooking-up a taste of Tampa for guests from all over the world.

"In the hotels, it’s going to their VIP guests so we would assume that's delegates or media that's going to be staying in house and for the events, we're hoping they are going to everybody so everyone gets a piece of Tampa to take back home with them,” said Kelly Flannery, ‘Toffee to Go’ Sales Manager.

'Toffee to Go' has contracts with two hotels, local venues like the Tampa Club and Centre Club and more to send their treats to Republican National Convention guests. 

August is usually their slowest month but this year the convention will pad their bottom line by as much as 15-percent, allowing them to hire seasonal workers.

"Right now we're producing about 450 pounds of toffee every day," said Flannery.

At the Tampa International Airport Marriott, UPS store owner Todd Blanchard knows the feeling.

His franchise printed hundreds of programs like media guides.  Now ,the next two weeks will bring another windfall.

"We're about to undertake the biggest shipping project, which is the gift bags. We have 14,000 media and delegate gift bags that we're going to be getting dispersed to all the local hotels," he said.

Some of the goodie bags will be shipped starting today.  The shipping business means Blanchard could hire three new employees and buy new equipment.  It’s business he and others like 'Toffee to Go' hope will last at least through late August, even beyond.

"We're hoping locally that it'll lead to more exposure here in the Tampa community, but that nationwide we'll have people that are taking out toffee back home with them to other states and other areas, who won't be able to get enough of it and will continue to call us and order," said Flannery.