Pinellas County Economic Development

05/29/2026

Is your business prepared to withstand a crisis?
Do you know how to manage cash flow and understand your financial statements?

Join us virtually in June to boost your skills and solidify your business knowledge! Free registration is open at PCED.ORG/Workshops

05/26/2026

Our team of experts will be available May 30 in Clearwater to assist businesses with critical hurricane preparation advice - don't miss this!

05/22/2026

Calling all small business owners: do you have questions about commercial real estate? We've got answers! Join us next week for this free virtual workshop and start planning your physical growth with confidence. https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/understanding-commercial-real-estate-5a1eVOCLT1h/overview

05/22/2026

Great time to check your business disaster plan, too. Don't have one? We can help! Visit PCED.ORG/Disaster for tips & tools and to book an appointment with one of our expert team members.

Pinellas County is gearing up for hurricane season. Now is a great time to check your emergency preparedness kit. Be sure to include your important documents, water, non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, radio and hygiene products. https://pinellas.gov/make-a-plan/

👉🏼 Pinellas County manages floodplains in unincorporated areas. Report issues through Pinellas See-Click-Fix at https://pinellas.gov/services/report-a-problem-in-your-community/. For city areas, please contact your municipality. The Floodplain Friday series is part of our public education program.

05/21/2026

PCED's Kurt Forster served a a panel speaker at the poweredUP Tampa Bay Tech Fest yesterday. One of the largest technology conferences in the Tampa Bay region, poweredUP Tampa Bay tech Fest brought together hundreds of technology leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and students for a full day of learning, insight, and connection.

05/19/2026

Does your business make The Coolest Thing in Florida?!

Nominations are officially open for the Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition.

Join companies across the state in showcasing the products driving Florida’s manufacturing industry forward. Finalists will be featured during National Manufacturing Week, leading up to the winner announcement at the Future of Florida Forum. Submit your nomination today or sign up for updates.

Coolest Thing Made in Florida Making Florida a Top 5 State for Manufacturing Jobs Coolest Thing Made in Florida Making Florida a Top 5 State for Manufacturing Now Open: 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Florida Nominations are officially open for the Coolest

05/18/2026

SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Florida Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought:

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Florida that sustained economic losses caused by drought beginning on Dec., 1, 2025.

The disaster declaration covers , and under this declaration the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs — including faith-based organizations — with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.

Learn more and apply at

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida who sustained economic losses caused by drought beginning on Dec. 1, 2025.

05/18/2026

We were delighted to help host the Central Florida Development Council's annual Leadership Mission and showcase the work we and our partners are doing to foster economic development in . Thanks for taking the time to engage and explore with us!

05/15/2026

Continuous learning is the key to community growth! Some of our team members spent the last few days soaking up the latest industry trends at the Florida Economic Development Council Conference.

The best part? Getting to experience it alongside our stellar partners from City of Clearwater Government Economic Development, City of St. Petersburg, Florida Economic Development, Greater St. Petersburg Area EDC, City of Largo Economic Development, and Florida SBDC at USF. We are incredibly grateful for these partnerships as we work together to build a stronger, more resilient local economy.

05/15/2026

Pinellas County's award-winning Employment Sites Program (ESP) continues to be an important tool we use to promote economic vitality in our community.

As of the end of Fiscal Year 2025, the ESP has 28 approved projects with $344,264,729 in total project costs, and ESP contributions of $43,847,281 for the development or redevelopment of 1,691,565 sqaure feet of space. 12 projects have been completed, providing 840,895 square feet of new/improved space. Nine of the twelve completed projects increased their taxable values in excess of $69.2 million.

Read the 2025 ESP Annual Report report at www.pced.org/esp