January 2021 Pinellas County 2020 Annual Bicycle Drive Pinellas County’s 34th Annual Bicycle Drive broke records this year raising $14,000 from employee donations for families in need. Last month, the County rolled out about 50 new bicycles for deserving families that have been identified through the Human Services department. Due to bike inventory challenges this year, part of the funds will be donated to the Hispanic Outreach Center and the Personal Enrichment Through Mental Health Services organization. The remaining donations will be used for a Christmas in July event to purchase more bicycles just before school starts. The bicycle drive is a team project led by the Pinellas County Real Estate Management, in collaboration with the Human Services, and supported through donations made by Pinellas County government employees. COVID-19 in Pinellas County: Testing, Dashboard & Personal Insights As daily positive cases in Pinellas County continue to trend upward, over 1,000 people in our community have died locally since the pandemic started. Please remain vigilant by wearing masks and maintaining social distance to lower the risk to you and those you love. Pinellas County has extended its State of Local Emergency for COVID-19. The extension keeps in effect a County ordinance requiring face coverings within public places, and restaurants and bars to serve only patrons who are seated. This month, Pinellas is sharing a video with a local Covid-19 survivor and Dr. Rachel F. Irby of Largo Medical Center. Learn more about the impacts to those who are sick and what our frontline medical professionals are learning about how to treat this disease. Pinellas Covid-19 Dashboard:https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/dashboard/Pinellas Covid-19 Testing: https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/testing/Pinellas Covid-19 Signs for Businesses: https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/signs/How to Visit Pinellas Responsibly: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/info/st-peteclearwater-travel-awareness Virtual Florida International Trade Expo – Registration is OpenMarch 16 – 18, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.Enterprise Florida has arranged its first ever Virtual Florida International Trade Expo. Florida companies will be able to showcase their products and services to international buyers, distributors, and decision makers. Virtual trade show grants will be available to eligible companies to cover the exhibitor registration cost. Click here to learn more. Select USA recognizes Pinellas County’s Investment Attraction EffortsLast month, Pinellas County Economic Development and our Global Tampa Bay partners were recognized by SelectUSA for helping to facilitate job-creating business investments in our community. Thank you to Dina Beaumont, Executive Director of Select USA, for presenting this award. SelectUSA is the U.S. government-wide program established to promote business investment in the United States. Pinellas County offers Virtual Export Assistance for local companies, and our office can also assist with Foreign Direct investment projects and Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) benefit analysis. If you’re considering exporting internationally, please visit PCED.org/international or contact Brent Barkway at bbarkway@pinellascounty.org or (727) 464-7411. FSBDC at Pinellas: Virtual Workshops to Help Grow Your BusinessFrom Starting a Business to Business Growth and Exit Strategies, the FSBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development has an online workshop for you. Join us online to learn more about business loans, cyber liability, marketing strategy, online networking and more. Click here to register.Congratulations Dr. Cynthia Johnson, One of TBBJ’s 25 People to WatchCongratulations to Dr. Cynthia Johnson of Pinellas County Economic Development and the Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County, for being named one of the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 25 People to Watch in 2020. Read more. Learn more about how to grow your business through: Online Business WorkshopsPersonalized Consulting, and Pinellas County’s Small Business Enterprise Program Tampa Bay Innovation Center Finalist for 2020 National Tech Culture AwardsThe Tampa Bay Innovation Center (TBIC) was announced as a finalist for Powderkeg’s 2020 National Tech Culture Awards. This recognizes Tampa Bay Innovation Center as having one of the best cultures in tech in communities beyond Silicon Valley. Tampa Bay Innovation Center was honored in the startup culture category. “We are proud to be recognized by Powderkeg. It is important to our team that we set forth a company culture that represents the tech community. Given this was an extraordinary year for most all businesses due to the pandemic, it was even more important for our team to remain flexible for our clients”, said Tonya Elmore, president and CEO. Learn more at: https://tbinnovates.com/ Creative Pinellas: $5,000 Professional Artist Grants, deadline Feb. 1Creative Pinellas is offering up to ten grants of $5,000 for artists who have excelled in their artistic practice. Grantees are encouraged to decide for themselves how to use the award for their benefit and growth as an artist. Artists of all genres are encouraged to apply. This could be artistic directors of theatres, professional musicians that perform on the classical or jazz stage, and dancers or actors that excel in performing other’s works. Creative Pinellas is looking for artists who will bring recognition to our community and inspire other artists and art lovers. Learn more and apply. Applications are due by 11:59pm on February 1, 2021Interactive Data Center Update: Industries We’ve updated our interactive Industries data page at www.PCED.org/industries. Scroll and click to explore GDP by population, industry growth rates, GDP by industry over time, and more.Forward Pinellas SurveyForward Pinellas wants to hear your thoughts: What things could they be doing to add more value to you? Are there areas where you think they are doing a great job? Take this quick, 5-question survey: bit.ly/FPHowAreWeDoing The survey will be open until January 17, 2021. The results from this survey will help determine planning practices and priorities in the future. In addition, every four years, Forward Pinellas undergoes a certification process to ensure it is meeting federal requirements and being responsible stewards of the resources invested in Pinellas County. The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) will conduct the Forward Pinellas 2020 certification review on January 28, 2021 and will use your feedback in their assessment.News LinksSt. Pete Innovation District proves to be a growth engineMore PPP loans are coming. Here’s how your business can get a second one.Locally developed tech sends vcard with a shake of the phoneNovel Coworking officially opens St. Pete locationHe’s starting a St. Petersburg bank to fight climate changeTampa metro area expected to be a hot housing market heading into 2021Cambria Hotel in Madeira Beach signals a bounce back for Pinellas County tourism www.PCED.org |