October 2022 The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Activates Business Damage Assessment Survey to Evaluate Impact of Hurricane Ian on the State’s BusinessesThe Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) have activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Ian. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Ian efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of affected business. The link is available below: https://floridadisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessmentsThis assessment does NOT serve as an application for resources, including the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Results from the Business Assessment Survey will be shared with various federal, state, and local agencies to implement appropriate relief. Businesses can complete the survey online or visit FloridaDisaster.biz and select “Hurricane Ian” from the dropdown menu. SBA Disaster Assistance Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are now available to businesses in Pinellas County under the Presidential disaster declaration due to Hurricane Ian. Businesses in Pinellas County are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. The Electronic Loan Application (ELA) is available via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s under SBA declaration #17644. The filing deadline for physical property damage is November 28, 2022 and the deadline for economic injury applications are due June 29, 2023. For more information, visit sba.gov/disaster. To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app, or call 800-621-3362. Please visit https://conta.cc/3rmZ4Zy for additional resources available to businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian. PCED Celebrates a Summer of Business Success  Pinellas County Celebrates Completion of new Employment Sites Program-Supported Industrial Building in Oldsmar The Pinellas County Commission celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 6, the completion of Brooker Creek South, the first industrial manufacturing building supported in part by Pinellas County’s Employment Sites Program (ESP). The developer, Harrod Properties, Inc., constructed the facility at 500 Brooker Creek Blvd, in Oldsmar’s thriving industrial market. The ribbon cutting was attended by Pinellas County Economic Development, the City of Oldsmar, Harrod Properties, and the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.The landmark building represents an investment of $15 Million into Brooker Creek South by Harrod Properties, Inc., to develop a 130,000 square feet modern industrial space for three companies, featuring 30’ clear height ceilings, dock-high and grade-level rear loading, and tilt-wall construction over a span of 11.27 acres. Pinellas County Commissioners funded a $908,500 financial gap through the ESP to assist with the higher cost of development and to ensure the industrial facility will accommodate employers for at least 20 years. Director of Pinellas County Economic Development Dr. Cynthia Johnson explained, “Companies investing in industrial properties in our area will find the market highly competitive. My department works diligently to help these enterprises expand their operations, but with the tide now turning towards re-shoring, and bringing supply chains closer to home, we are going to see demand for industrial, manufacturing and flex space grow even more. The ESP is yet another example of collaborative efforts with companies to strengthen Pinellas County as a major manufacturing hub, while helping fill capital gaps to bring new construction to market.”To read more, visit PCED.org and click on Success Stories.  EPODEX USA Finds Its Footing in Pinellas How does Europe’s top producer of epoxy find a footing in St. Petersburg, Florida? With research, patience – and assistance from organizations like Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED).“We knew we wanted to enter the American market,” explains EPODEX USA Project Manager Dr. Sasa Aleksic, “and we knew we wanted to find an east coast location. St. Petersburg’s low cost of living and easy access to international shipping made the location stand out, and when we found the perfect facility, we knew it was the right place to launch our expansion into the U.S.”To read more about how EPODEX utilized the services of PCED to expand into the U.S. market, visit PCED.org and click on Success Stories. Manufacturing Career Fair, Oct. 11  October is Manufacturing Month and St. Petersburg College is partnering with CareerSource Pinellas to host a Manufacturing Career Fairon Oct. 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. Petersburg College’s Clearwater campus. Up to 25 manufacturing companies will be present to meet with job seekers to fill employment and internship opportunities throughout Pinellas County. Register here to request a table for your business. Celebrating PTAC Day Every Day We celebrate the hard work of the small businesses who have benefitted from training and technical assistance delivered through Florida PTAC Pinellas County Economic Development. Please check out our new video with real time, small business success stories and learn about the significant impact that PTAC clients have created within the Pinellas County community. Thank you to Pole Star Space Applications, Brick Street Farms, Randall Innovations, LLC (Product Patented), Prestige Machine & Tool / Way Cover, and Empact Solutions for your sharing your stories!If your business would like assistance with understanding and winning government contracts, visit PCED.org and click on Small Business. Developers Sought for Oldsmar Property The City of Oldsmar is seeking developers for publicly-owned land (7-8 acres) through a solicitation of Letter of Interest(s) to generate an aesthetically pleasing, economically sustainable, iconic Town Center destination enjoyed by residents, customers, and visitors through a variety of experiences and places. For more information email downtown@myoldsmar.com or visit https://buff.ly/3B1VKWf. Letters are due October 14, 2022.  Hispanic Business Conference In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrated Hispanic-owned businesses with the Hispanic Business Conference, hosted by Pinellas County Economic Development in partnership with the FSBDC at Pinellas County, and the Florida PTAC at Pinellas County. More than 50 attendees enjoyed a full day of business information and networking.Are you interested in growing your business and learning more about the services discussed at the Hispanic Business Conference? Visit us at PCED.org.  News Links110,000-square-foot industrial facility and 200 jobs coming to Pinellas CountyEnterprise Florida Sends Delegation to Panama to Build Economic Ties With that NationWeWork, USF St. Pete offer up free workspaces for those without powerIn St. Pete, Adelphi Trust is blazing a trail for women in financeNEXT BLOCK TO BOOM: St. Pete is rapidly changing from beachy retirement haven to up-and-coming finance and tech hubSPC seeks minority, women-owned business partnersUnemployment rate in Pinellas drops to 2.5%KnowBe4 receives $4.2B offer to go privateBayfront Health unveils plans for 60,000 square foot Women’s Pavilion in downtown St. PeteKiran Paten brings state’s first stand-along dental program to ClearwaterPower Design streamlines its own supply chain, reports savingsStartup bringing data centers to the Moon grows St. Pete HQCounty, Oldsmar leaders celebrate completion of new industrial developmentRed Mesa Group expands to two new locations in St. PeteSt. Pete’s Kahwa Coffee launches franchise programwww.PCED.org Pinellas County Economic Development | (727) 464-7332 | econdev@pinellascounty.org13805 58 St. N., Suite 1-200 | Clearwater, FL 33760 |
| Pinellas County Economic Development 13805 58th Street N. Suite 1-200 Clearwater, FL 33760 |