Tampa Bay Export Alliance Trade Mission to the Dominican Republic Projects $6.8 Million in Export Sales for Local Companies
The Tampa Bay Export Alliance (TBEA), a cooperative effort of Pinellas County Economic Development, the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and the Pasco Economic Development Council, announced that the companies participating in December’s trade mission to the Dominican Republic have projected future sales of approximately $6.8 million as a result of the trip.
Thirteen local companies participated in the U.S. Commercial Service’s Gold Key Service (GKS) Matchmaker program, which provided customized one-on-one meetings with companies in the Dominican Republic. These Gold Key companies conducted approximately 140 meetings with potential customers that resulted in the nearly $6.8 million in actual and expected export sales.
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Export Trade Mission to Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 23-27.
Opportunity for Pinellas Companies
With a population of 41.5 million people and a GDP of approximately $609 billion, Argentina offers excellent opportunities for Pinellas companies. Argentina is Florida’s fourth largest export destination with an estimated $3.3 billion worth of exports. Due to recent changes in political leadership, the country has adopted a pro-business approach, and new legislation allows Argentine importers an easier process to buy foreign goods. This Enterprise Florida Export Sales Mission, supported by Pinellas County Economic Development, will provide local companies with the U.S. Commercial Service’s Gold Key Service (GKS) Matchmaker program of customized one-on-one meetings with potential customers and partners in Argentina. Visit PCED.org/international for more information. Contact Brent Barkway at (727) 464-7411 or barkway@pinellascounty.org to discuss this trade mission and opportunities for your company.
Explore the new Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center
The statewide online directory of agencies has been revamped to provide an improved browsing experience for all stages of entrepreneurship. Discover resources to assist you in developing a business idea, formulating an action plan, launching a start-up, and growing and optimizing an existing small business. Additionally, scroll down the portal to read start-up success stories from entrepreneurs located in Pinellas County. https://flvec.com/pinellas
Jan. 11, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: FDOT Construction Career Fair, Clearwater
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) OnBoard4Jobs Construction Careers program helps jobseekers gain employment on roadway construction projects with local contractors. This includes hiring workers for On-the-Job Training programs. The program’s focus is to recruit a viable construction workforce and increase the number of minorities, females and veterans on federal and state-funded roadway construction contracts. The program provides opportunities to unemployed adults, as well as graduating high school seniors, to secure jobs with industry leading contractors. Learn more and register for the Pinellas career fair at http://onboard4jobs.com/.
CareerSource Pinellas Receives $250K Grant from The Able Trust
A quarter-million dollars was donated by The Able Trust to CareerSource Pinellas d.b.a The Science Center for the Abilities Training Initiative program, which provides training and certifications to help individuals with disabilities gain employment in the St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay region.
The Science Center provides pre-vocational training and work experience opportunities for in-demand occupations such as construction, manufacturing and information technology. “Our goal is to train people, while helping them overcome barriers,” said Edward Peachey, President & CEO, CareerSource Pinellas.
“There’s just a ton of talent out there,” said Susanne Homant, President & CEO of the Able Trust. “The biggest barrier people with disabilities have to overcome is misperceptions in the business community of what their capabilities are.”
Pinellas Education Foundation Ranks First in National Study of
K-12 Education Foundations
The nation’s only annual study and ranking of K-12 education foundations — “Stepping Up: The Nation’s Top K-12 Education Foundations 2016” — has ranked Pinellas Education Foundation first in the nation, making 2016 the third consecutive year the foundation has been in the nation’s top spot. To view the study, visit www.caruthers.institute
“Achieving this honor is a testament to the strength of our board, committees and staff and a reflection of the strong relationships we have built with Pinellas County Schools and our business and community partners,” Chairman of the Foundation Gary Regoli stated. “When we work together, we’re able to create and sustain innovative programs and initiatives that positively impact all of our students and teachers every year.”