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The image of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area mistakenly revolves around a stereotype of retirees and spring-breakers. We have our share, but what many don't realize is that the retirees are engineers who moved their businesses to this area and the spring-breakers are gurus pioneering tomorrow's high-tech innovations. Of the area's 900,000 residents, 27 percent of the workforce is in the 25 to 44 age group and getting younger every day.
And wealthier. The county's 460,000 workforce (well over one million in the Tampa Bay region) enjoys a median household income of $35,825. Pinellas County's per capita income increased 39.5 percent from 1990-1998 and is expected to grow another 19.1 percent from 1998-2003. Such numbers represent an accumulation of positive assets and resources driving St. Petersburg/Clearwater 's economic engine to new standards of excellence.
An attractive tax structure, a legislative and regulatory climate conducive to economic activity, incentive, finance and business assistance programs, low occupancy and construction costs, and adequate space in which to expand are all fuel for growth. Coupled with a moderate wage scale reflecting the nature of the areas diverse businesses, it's no wonder our vacation destination continues to be a business location. Why not both? Why not, indeed.
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