Pinellas County has always been integral to the econom­ic success of the Tampa Bay region and beyond. From our robust manufacturing base and flourishing tech sector, to record low unemployment rates, this past year, as One Pinellas County, we delivered a business-friendly environment, assistance with business growth, new manufacturing space and good jobs for our most valuable asset - our people. We proudly present this Annual Report to share the details of our hard work and resulting success.

View the full report online here.

Pinellas County’s Employment Sites Program has opened its fourth round of funding, with applications available at PCED.org/ESP.

Pinellas County has committed funds in excess of $80 million to assist in the construction and redevelopment of industrial (manufacturing & flex) and office buildings in order to facilitate a strong and robust local economy that provides growth opportunities for existing businesses and attracts new target industry employers to Pinellas County. The program assists in funding gaps in capital expenditures related to the development/redevelopment of a building.

Find details and a link to the online application portal at PCED.org/esp. All applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on January 17, 2023.

Lenore Holz spent 10 years running a seasonal lemonade stand before deciding she wanted to shift into a business with a more suitable kitchen and workspace, and a product with a longer shelf life and creative appeal. She now owns and operates two locations, along with Urban Popcorn Food Truck, allowing for two separate streams of revenue. Salty Sisters Gourmet Popcorn sells approximately 30 fun and unique flavors at a time, and with its two locations in Treasure Island and Madeira Beach, it has become a staple in Pinellas County. Knowing that she would need support along the way, Holz reached out to the Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development for assistance. This allowed her to grow the business with the support of business consultant Debra Schweikowsky at no cost. “I was able to take my business to the next level with the help of Deb at the SBDC at [PCED],” Holz said. “She helped me with financing, with marketing, and staffing issues.” Read more of this story here.

Does your business ever wonder what the best way of getting rid of something is? Does it need guidance for proper disposal of potentially hazardous wastes? The Pinellas County Department of Solid Waste (PCSW) manages the Where Does It Go? Search Tool which offers guidance and local resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal. It is a searchable database that connects you to the right donation centers, recycling facilities, online takeback programs, licensed hazardous waste transporters, and more.

1.    Access the search tool by visiting Pinellas.gov/wheredoesitgo

2.    Select “For Businesses” on the tool’s main page. You will then be taken to a search bar

3.    Within that search bar, type the name of the item or material your business needs to get rid of (i.e., paint, dirt, aerosol cans, etc.)

4.    Click “Search” and you will be presented with a list of options and guidance for your business to get rid of that item

Use this helpful search tool to find out how to properly get rid of many different items used by your business!

Questions? Contact the Business Waste Assessment section at bwa@pinellas.gov or (727) 464-7500. 

This will be a forum for CEO's to exchange views on the transportation industry, network, and establish strategic relationships for business leads and opportunities. Featured speakers include: Yolanda Goodloe, PTAC at Pinellas County Economic Development; Orlando Dorsey, FrankCrum; Pat Mack, PVMIT; and Dr. Loretta Caldwell-Thompson, CMS.

Register at https://conta.cc/3v3zKto

Learn more and register at https://events.sofwerx.org/sbbc2-0/.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) announced a new pilot program geared toward helping businesses qualify for SBA disaster loans. The pilot program will re-examine the applications of businesses that did not meet approval qualifications and were declined for an SBA disaster loan. Those who applied for a disaster loan for Hurricane Ian and were not approved are encouraged to visit our SBDC office to review their application and ensure that all the documents are correct and ready for re-submission to be approved. Businesses that have not yet submitted an SBA disaster business loan application, may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ under SBA declaration # 17644.