Pinellas County Business News
November, 2015
457,230 Employed in Pinellas, More Than Ever Before
 
There are more people working in Pinellas County than ever before: 457,230 to be exact.  This is 74,233 more working people than at the pit of the recession in December 2009.  Pinellas County's current unemployment rate is 4.7% - the lowest of the ten most populous counties in Florida.  Read more at
 
Meet the Buyers - at the Pinellas County Reverse Trade Show! Nov. 20
 
On Friday, November 20, 2015, buyers from Pinellas County Government and other local agencies will meet with participating local business representatives to discuss purchasing needs and opportunities. Representatives from more than 30 local agencies will be on hand to meet with participants, including Pinellas County Government, the University of South Florida, Pinellas and Hillsborough County Schools, the City of St. Petersburg, Tampa General Hospital, the U.S. Postal Service,  Bright House Networks, and Moffitt Cancer Center.
 
Admission is free, but registration is required.
Pinellas Companies report encouraging results from Trade Mission to Toronto, Canada

From October 19-22, the Tampa Bay Export Alliance convened a delegation of approximately 70 business and community leaders who traveled to Toronto, Canada to generate new opportunities for trade, investment and international tourism, as well as film and digital media. Pinellas executive Chuck Ottaviano of MagicEar reported encouraging results, and Robert Ramirez of Aero Supply USA reported that his company closed deals in Toronto as a result of the mission.
 
Watch the video wrap up of the mission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdiBUNvAT9c&feature=youtu.be. Thanks to our talented video producer, Libby Bolling of Pinellas County Communications!

 
In the news:
New Solar Array Powers Lockheed Martin in Oldsmar

Lockheed Martin's Oldsmar facility is slashing its electric bill to the tune of up to $400,000 annually. The defense contractor Tuesday unveiled a $5 million, 2.25-megawatt solar array that doubles as a canopy for 534 employee vehicles at its electronics manufacturing facility in the 3600 block of Tampa Road. That is enough electricity to power nearly 300 homes a year. The company billed the project, which has been online since last month, as the largest private, nonutility solar array in Florida. (William R. Levesque) Click here to read more...

 
2015 Pinellas County Economic Profile

Your guide to changing demographics, industry and economic data in Pinellas! We publish a new profile each year to provide the business community with a full picture of our evolving economy and workforce, and a look at the factors that contribute to changes in Pinellas County's economic health.

 
Meet the FSBDC Consultants: Kurt Forster
 
Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) Consultants work to connect area business owners and entrepreneurs with the resources and solutions they need to fuel growth and expansion. Here, our own Kurt Forster shares what led him to this line of work and how he spends his off-work time in our Ideal Business Climate!
 
Visit www.pced.org/consulting to book an appointment with Kurt.
 
TEC Garage adds four new clients

 
TEC Garage, a Pinellas incubator and coworking entrepreneurial center operated by Tampa Bay Innovation Center, has added four new clients: Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) Complete, CarliArt, MyRoomSolution, and VirtualHand. "We're pleased these companies have joined our community of startups and entrepreneurs," says Tonya Elmore, president of Tampa Bay Innovation Center.  "We look forward to providing them with the mentoring, networking and other services that will help them accelerate the growth of their businesses." Learn more about the TEC Garage at www.tecgarage.org/.

 
TBTF Annual Industry Achievement Awards Gala, Nov. 6
The Tampa Bay Technology Forum Industry Achievement Awards were created to honor the region's best technology organizations and individuals in technology. Finalists will be honored in front of hundreds at an exciting black-tie awards gala on November 6, 2015 at the A La Carte Event Pavilion. Reserve your tickets at https://www.eventjoy.com/e/2015-awards-gala.
 
Pinellas News
 












Federal grant for south St. Pete
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In This Issue
Quick Links
Business Workshops
The Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County Economic Development hosts a number of business workshops each month. Find a full schedule of upcoming workshops at pced.org/workshops.
Pinellas County Economic Development | 727-464-7332 | econdev@pinellascounty.org | http://www.pced.org
13805 58th Street N.
Suite 1-200
Clearwater, FL 33760

                                           


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