Pinellas County Economic Development

09/04/2026

Our office will be closed Monday, September 7 for Labor Day. We will resume normal operations at 8am Tuesday, September 8.

09/02/2026

As a first-time restaurateur, V-Roll Vietnamese Rolls & Bowls owner Stephanie Nghiem turned to the Florida SBDC at USF at Pinellas County Economic Development and the Florida SBDC at USF for guidance. With the support of business consultants Debra Schweikowsky and Greg Manning, she navigated financing options, developed detailed financial projections, and selected the ideal location after evaluating multiple markets. “It was definitely a journey getting here and doing a lot of planning, a lot of projections, and many meetings in order to get to the spot where we are today,” Nghiem said. Since opening, the business has grown from five to 14 employees, launched online ordering, and established a strong presence in Gulfport.

09/02/2026

All of this, AND businesses need their own preparation, too! We can help: visit PCED.ORG/Disaster for planning tips and tools.

It’s September 1, and we're well into peak hurricane season. It's more important than ever to prepare.

Take a few steps now to get ready:
🏠 Know your evacuation zone AND flood zone.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Make a plan for everyone in your household.
🎒 Keep your emergency kit stocked.
⛽ Keep your vehicle at least half full or halfway charged.
📱 Sign up for Alert Pinellas to stay informed.

Find everything you need to make a plan, build your emergency kit and stay informed at https://pinellas.gov/emergency-information.

09/01/2026

Check out the latest business news in - our September issue of Pinellas County Business News is out now!

Email from Pinellas County Economic Development The latest news from the Ideal Business Climate   September 2026 A Fresh Take on Tradition: Fast-Casual Vietnamese Dining Thrives in Gulfport As a firs

08/28/2026

Support a business - vote today!

Koozie Group has advanced to the Top 8 in Florida Chamber of Commerce's Coolest Thing Made in Florida and needs your help to make it through to the next round. Visit https://coolestthingmadeinflorida.com to place your vote!

08/28/2026

We've got a great line-up of virtual workshops coming your way in September - all at no cost to you! Join us and learn new ways to help grow your business.

Register today at PCED.ORG/workshops

08/26/2026

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready $10,000 national grant...

Verizon, in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), will award $10,000 grants throughout the year. Complete any two eligible courses or events to unlock your application. Submit it anytime in 2026 and remain eligible all year.

10 small businesses will be selected for grants each month. If you are not selected in a given month, your application will remain eligible for future selections. Learn more:

Discover and apply for small business grants. Learn eligibility requirements, check application deadlines, and secure funding for your growth.

08/25/2026

CareerSource Tampa Bay (CSTB) and St. Petersburg College (SPC) are expanding their partnership to connect more Tampa Bay residents with affordable education, workforce training, and financial assistance for in-demand careers.

Through this partnership, eligible Hillsborough and Pinellas County residents can explore training opportunities in fields such as health care, advanced manufacturing, information technology, public safety, skilled trades and more while receiving guidance on available funding and career pathways.

Together, we're helping residents gain the skills and support they need to build stable, rewarding careers while strengthening Tampa Bay's workforce.

Read More: https://stpetecatalyst.com/zaps/spc-expands-partnership-with-careersource-tampa-bay/

08/24/2026

Pinellas County's parks and reserves contribute greatly to our incomparable quality of life - just one amazing feature of our !