Pinellas County Business News
December, 2015
Happy Holidays from PCED!

It's been an exciting year for business in Pinellas, with an abundance of grand openings, expansions, and new jobs added to our local economy. We are thrilled to support the business community, and send our best wishes for the happiest of holidays. Here's to a New Year of continued success and prosperity in Pinellas, the #IdealBusinessClimate!
 
Export Sales Mission to Costa Rica,
April 12-15, 2016
The Tampa Bay Export Alliance will lead an Export Sales Mission to Costa Rica from April 12 - 15, 2016.  The U.S. accounts for 40% of Costa Rica's total imports, and Costa Rica is ranked as the 6th largest trading partner for Florida. Port Tampa Bay has direct container shipping connections to Costa Rica provided by Seatrade/Altamar Shipping.  Top sectors for Tampa Bay exports include:
  • Medical devices
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Travel and tourism
  • Food processing and packaging
  • Automotive parts and service equipment
  • Building / construction
  • Franchising
  • Renewable energy
  • Hotel & restaurant equipment
  • Education
Explore the possibilities at a free "Doing Business in Costa Rica" workshop on January 13th in Pinellas County or January 14th in Hillsborough County.


For more information about the April 2016 Trade Mission to Costa Rica, or to reserve a one-on-one meeting with a trade specialist after the January 13th workshop, please contact Brent Barkway at BBarkway@PinellasCounty.org or (727) 464-7411.  
Brimstone Originals Shines as Example of Small Business Success in Pinellas
The process of starting and growing a small business can be overwhelming. Eileen O'Hara, co-owner of Brimstone Originals Specialty Foods, turned to the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) Network nearly 12 years ago to launch her business and has been a regular client ever since. Over the years she and daughter and co-owner Julie Stevens have built their Pinellas County business with assistance from the FSBDC's wide array of tools and resources.

"Through one-on-one consulting and participation in FSBDC workshops and events such as our annual Pinellas County Finance Fair, Eileen and Julie have learned how to manage their company's growth exceptionally well," says the Pinellas FSBDC's Kurt Forster.

Click to read more...
For Sale:
Prime parcel in Indian Rocks Beach

Pinellas County is offering a rare opportunity to purchase vacant land in Indian Rocks Beach directly across the street from the Gulf of Mexico.  Three parcels located on the east side of Gulf Boulevard between 23rd and 24th Avenues North are being offered for sale. The 0.83 acre site is rectangular in shape and has 300 feet of road frontage along the east side of Gulf Boulevard.  This is a very attractive prospect for a mixed-use development that could incorporate commercial and residential uses.
 
The deadline for responses is January 19, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Learn more at www.pced.org/forsale. 
Congratulations
Manufacturers of the Year Finalists

Four Pinellas companies were honored as finalists at the Manufacturers Association of Florida Summit last week.  Congratulations to these remarkable industry leaders: Monin Gourmet Flavorings, MasterCut Tools, Dosatron, and Kramski, North America. 
 
 
Pictures from the 2015 Pinellas County Reverse Trade Show

The 2015 Pinellas County Reverse Trade Show featured buyers from 35 organizations and more than 200 local business owners. Buyers and vendors came together at the St. Petersburg College Seminole Campus on Friday, November 20, 2015, to share information, needs, products, services and prices.  Thank you to all of our partners, exhibitors and local businesses for making this such an outstanding event for our local community. Click here to see the pictures.
Pinellas News
 
(Forbes)

Health care giant preps for hiring binge
(Business Observer)

Emboldened by record visitors and big data insights, Pinellas tourism agency tests a national pitch
(Tampa Bay Times)

Local merchants stage Shopapalooza™ to compete with big retailers
(St. Petersburg Tribune)

Development sought for downtown Tarpon Springs lot
(Suncoast News)


(Tampa Bay Newspapers)


New building will attract research and talent to All Children's
(Tampa Bay Times)


(Tampa Bay Times)


(Suncoast News)
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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