July 2008

Registration Is Open For the 2008 Pinellas Technology & Business Innovation Exchange (PTBIE) – Oct. 24. PTBIE, hosted by Congressman C.W. Bill Young and presented by STAR TEC and Pinellas County Economic Development, is a reverse trade show at which subcontractors exhibit and defense industry contractors meet new suppliers. The 2007 event attracted 44 exhibitors and sponsors, as well as 27 invited defense industry contractors. By matching United States Department of Defense contractors with Pinellas County and other Tampa Bay-based subcontractors, PTBIE strengthens the defense and advanced manufacturing sectors by increasing local sales and developing partner and vendor relationships. PTBIE was rated highly by participants and sponsors, who requested an expanded program for 2008. Click here for more information and registration. Contact Dave Sobush at (727) 464-7353 or dsobush@pinellascounty.org for information on sponsorship opportunities.

Collaborative Automotive Industry Forum, July 31. In the last of its business forum series, WorkNet Pinellas brings you a collaborative automotive industry forum that will focus on current and emerging workforce needs. This automotive industry-specific forum will offer participants a chance to learn about training funding opportunities and will provide an opportunity for participant input regarding curriculum development and class offerings. The forum will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the EpiCenter, 13805 58^th Street N., Clearwater. For more information and to register, contact Kristin Dailey at kdailey@worknetpinellas.org or (727) 507-4300 x3004.

Small Business Lending Fair, Aug. 29. In 2007, Pinellas County Economic Development held the third annual Small Business Lending Fair, sponsored by Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union. The event featured exhibits by 25 Pinellas County Lenders including banks, community lenders, and alternative lenders. Approximately 150 business owners attended the occasion and were able to browse the different lending programs offered by local lenders. The Lending Fair assists business owners in identifying capital for business growth and expansion, as well as new business ventures. This year's 4th annual event is scheduled for August 29 at the EpiCenter, 13805 58^th Street N., Clearwater. Finance counseling and assistance is available through the Pinellas County Business Development Center. Please phone (727) 453-7200 or visit www.pced.org/lendingfair.

Upper Tampa Bay Regional Job Fair, July 18. Presented by Congressman Gus Bilirakis and the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, this job fair is free and open to the public. The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the New Oldsmar Community Library, TECO Hall, 400 St. Petersburg Dr. E., Oldsmar. Contact Mike Monahan at (813) 855-4233 or Mmonahan@utbChamber.com to reserve space for your business.

July 2008 Pinellas County Success Story

$600,000 in Brownfield Cleanup Grants Aid Redevelopment in Pinellas County. On April 8, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Pinellas County will receive three brownfield cleanup grants totaling $600,000. The grant funds will be used to remove garbage from historic landfill sites located in the Dansville neighborhood and fill the excavations with clean soil to transform vacant properties into single-family home sites.

With virtually no large undeveloped vacant parcels remaining in Pinellas County, the Brownfield Program is a critical component in the county's redevelopment efforts. Through designation and cleanup efforts, the program is creating greenspace, affordable home sites, redeveloped sites for business, and new high wage jobs across Pinellas.

Click here to read more of this story. Learn more about Pinellas County's Brownfield Program at www.PCED.org/brownfield.