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New programs for South St. Petersburg CRA focus on neighborhood revitalization, business development, and workforce training
City Council approved a package of ten new tax increment financing programs for the South St. Petersburg CRA. The programs, developed together by the South St. Petersburg CRA Citizens Advisory Committee and city staff focus on housing and neighborhood revitalization, business development, and education, job readiness and workforce training. Grant applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in May and the city will conduct workshops to educate residents about funding opportunities. Overall in FY 2016, the programs will distribute nearly $500,000 over a 7.5 square-mile area of 34,000 residents. |
2nd Annual Midtown Walmart Neighborhood Market Black History Festival on Saturday, February 20
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Commercial Revitalization Program approved by City Council
City Council approved the new Commercial Revitalization Program (previously referred to as the Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Private-Public Partnership Program) on February 4th. The program will help address the issue of lack of capital which has been cited as a barrier to redevelopment in South St. Petersburg, the Skyway Marina District, and other areas of the city.
The Commercial Revitalization Program will provide grant awards to commercial projects that enhance business districts by redeveloping properties, decreasing vacancy rates, adding to the tax base, creating jobs, leveraging private sector investment, and improving quality of life for surrounding neighborhoods. Based on the scope and impact of the proposed project, an applicant may be award at one of three thresholds - $25,000, $50,000, and up to $100,000. The program will be administered through the City Development Administration office. |
USFSP Kate Tiedemann College of Business receives $1 million for scholarships
Businesswoman Ellen Cotton and her partner, Kate Tiedemann, who gave $10 million to name the USFSP College of Business in 2014, donated $1 million to begin a new scholarship program for business students. They hope to help students be able to attend school without having a side job, allowing them to concentrate on their studies. The endowed scholarship will give a head start to students who might not be able to pay for college. To acknowledge the donation, the school will name the new building's atrium for Cotton. |
Spotlight on St. Petersburg in this month's Florida Trend
The February issue of
Florida Trend
shines the spotlight on St. Petersburg. It is the largest insert ever produced for a community! Check out the digital edition of "
The Changing Face of Paradise
" and share with colleagues, employees, and others who are interested in all that is happening in St. Petersburg.
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Are you interested in a business visit?
As part of the city's new business outreach program, Economic Development staff are meeting with local businesses to help them grow. Any business interested in a visit should contact Sophia Sorolis, Economic Development Manager, at 727-893-7787 or [email protected]. |
New biotech networking group: Tampa Bay BioBeers
Tampa Bay BioBeers is a new networking group for professionals engaged in the biotech industry. Started by intelliTECH, a biotech company that recently expanded to St. Petersburg, the group's first meeting will be Thursday, February 18th, 6:00-8:00 pm, at the Hofbrauhaus. Check out the Tampa Bay BioBeers Meetup page to RSVP and learn more. |
Downtown's historic YMCA to be restored as boutique hotel
Developer Nick Ekonomou, who purchased the historic Mediterranean Revival-style YMCA building in November, will build a nine-story, 20-unit short-term luxury rental complex and 5-floor parking garage behind the YMCA at 116 5th Street South. The new building will include a rooftop lap pool and bar. Together with the soon-to-be restored YMCA, the buildings will become the Edward, a boutique hotel and event venue.
Ekonomou estimates he will invest $6 million into the renovation of the 1920s-era, 60,000 SF YMCA building, which he purchased for $1.4 million, and spend another $4 million on the new building.
Photo credit: Tampa Bay Times
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Mayor's Challenge for Safer People, Safer Streets
Mayor Rick Kriseman was recently selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to participate on their panel discussion regarding the Mayor's Challenge for Safer People, Safer Streets that will be held at the upcoming New Partners Smart Growth Conference in Portland, Oregon on February 11, 2016. As one of three mayors selected as a panelist, Mayor Kriseman will speak to St. Petersburg's efforts in the last year to improve conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians, and how those efforts have been integrated in other city initiatives including Healthy St. Pete and Sustainability.
In March 2015, St. Petersburg signed on to participate in the "Mayor's Challenge for Safer People, Safer Streets" that was issued by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to raise the bar for bicyclist and pedestrian safety. Under Mayor Kriseman's leadership, the city has fully embraced and competed several of the Challenge Activities including adopting a robust Complete Streets policy and installing 50 rectangular-rapid flashing beacon crosswalk devices through a federal transportation grant.
The city has also recently prepared a revised process that allows for improved coordination and increased consideration for bicycle network facilities through the annual roadway resurfacing program. Under this process, the city is expected to add approximately 5 miles to its existing 75 miles of on-street bicycle facilities through the FY16 Annual Resurfacing Program. Additionally, the city received another round of grant funding from FDOT to focus on High Visibility Enforcement related to bicycle and pedestrian safety. |
St. Petersburg selected for financial literacy opportunity
The city will compete with seven other cities, including Boston, Durham, and Philadelphia, for a series of National League of Cities' grants to help teach financial literacy to its residents. Mayor Kriseman will attend a summit in April with the other selected mayors to learn how to help at-risk residents improve their financial health and stability. The city will be able to compete for two $50,000 grants to set up programs to teach financial practices helping people save, invest, and make sound financial decisions. |
On February 1, Tropic Ocean Airways held its inaugural flight from downtown St. Petersburg's Albert Whitted Airport to Fort Lauderdale with Mayor Rick Kriseman and Chamber President Chris Steinocher as the first passengers. The occasion was nostalgic for the city since St. Petersburg is the location of the world's first scheduled winged airline service - the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Airline launched its first flight from the same site on New Year's Day 1914 carrying the then-Mayor Abram C. Phiel as the first passenger.
The new scheduled service operates on Mondays and Fridays with two flights per day. Flights leave St. Petersburg at 8:24 am and land in Fort Lauderdale at 9:42 am. Return flights leave Fort Lauderdale at 4:00 pm and land in St. Petersburg at 5:18 pm. Travelers can book tickets online, which are currently on sale for $199 round trip for travel through May 20, 2016. |
Tampa Bay is the most affordable area to live in Florida
Tampa Bay is the most affordable region in Florida, according to data collected by the Council for Community and Economic Research. In 2015, the region's Cost of Living Index stood at 91.6, compared with a national baseline of 100. Other regions in Florida had ratings closer to, or above, the national average. For instance, Sarasota's score is 103.3 and Miami's was 112.3. The study takes into account the costs of necessities, like housing, gasoline, and healthcare, as well as luxuries. |
Opportunity for international exposure at Hannover Messe industrial tech trade show
The world's leading industrial technology trade show, Hannover Messe, will be held in Germany, April 25-29, 2016. For the first time ever, the United States will be the featured Partner Country, giving U.S. exhibitors prime location and maximum global exposure to more than 200,000 event attendees and over 100 business delegations.
Interested businesses should contact Molly Ho, International Trade Specialist at the local U.S. Commercial Service Offices, at [email protected] or 516-463-8150. Companies may find resources and registration information at the Hannover Messe website.
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Upcoming Events
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February 17-19, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
USF St. Petersburg, 140 7th Avenue South
February 17-18, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
USF Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Stimulation, 124 Franklin Street, Tampa 33612
February 18, 6:00-8:00 pm
Hofbrauhaus, 123 4th Street South
2nd Annual Midtown Walmart Neighborhood Market Black History Festival
February 20, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Walmart Neighborhood Market, 1794 22nd Street South
February 20-21, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
North Straub Park, 310 Bayshore Drive NE
February 24
USF St. Petersburg, 140 7th Avenue South
February 25, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Coliseum, 535 4th Avenue N
Special note:
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Have a development update, project announcement, or success
story to share?
Contact Briana Ozor, 727.893.7784.
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City of St. Petersburg
Economic Development Division
P.O. Box 2842
St. Petersburg, FL 33731
800.874.9026 (toll free)
727.893.7100 (phone)
727.892.5465 (fax)
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