February 2023
Pinellas County Celebrates
New Business Incubator’s Construction Milestone
Pinellas County celebrated a milestone on January 20, 2023: the structural completion of the new ARK Innovation Center in St. Petersburg. Project partners celebrated by leaving their “mark” on a piece of Pinellas County history by signing the steel beam that will be used in the interior structure of the new business incubator.

With construction anticipated to be completed by Summer 2023, this 45,000-square-foot facility will host the Tampa Bay Innovation Center, which provides programs to train and grow entrepreneurs and start-ups in Pinellas County and the region.

The new regional incubator is made possible by a partnership through the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Pinellas County, the City of St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Innovation Center, and ARK Invest.

View a video of the event at https://fb.watch/ijYKYjdN95/ and find photos in our Facebook album.
Pinellas County Employment Sites Program
2022 Annual Report
Pinellas County's Employment Sites Program (ESP) provides funds to assist in the construction and redevelopment of industrial (manufacturing & flex) and offices buildings. Over ten years it is anticipated that approximately $83 Million will be available through the ESP to developers, businesses, and other agencies. This Annual Report examines the 2022 milestones and projects of the program, and celebrates its success in facilitating a robust local economy that provides growth opportunities for existing businesses, and attracts new target industry employers to Pinellas County.
TECH Talk, Feb.1: A Fireside Chat on Climate Tech Innovations and Strategies
Join host Hans Jacob, Business Development Director for Energy Storage and Microgrid projects with Duke Energy, at the Tampa Bay Innovation Center's Feb. 1st event. This Climate Tech-themed TECH Talk coincides with the Innovation Center's accelerator program for climate tech startups, which kicked off this month and runs through the end of March. The accelerator wraps up with an Innovation Showcase in April, where the participating companies will present their progress to a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs and investors.

Transportation Forum & CEO Roundtable, Feb. 4
This will be a forum for CEO's to exchange views on the transportation industry, network, and establish strategic relationships for business leads and opportunities. Featured speakers include: Yolanda Goodloe, PTAC at Pinellas County Economic Development; Orlando Dorsey, FrankCrum; Pat Mack, PVMIT; and Dr. Loretta Caldwell-Thompson, CMS.

1:15 to 2:45 p.m. 
PTEC St. Petersburg Campus, Room A
901 34th St S
St. Petersburg, FL 
Doing Business with Army Contracting Command: Feb. 9, 7:30 - 9:00 am
This discussion will include an overview of the agency, what it buys, and how to engage with buyers. The conversation will include:
  • A discussion on mission and product lines in PEO STRI
  • Function of Army Contracting Command
  • Role of the ACC’s Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP)
  • Business mission and how to engage with ACC

Location: 3814 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL (USF Research Park - 1st Floor Classroom)
Program Cost: $15 Registration required. Space is limited.
Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council 2023 Kick-off Meeting, Feb. 16, 9:30am - 12:00p
Featuring a fireside chat with Troy Taylor, Chairman & CEO of Coca-Cola Florida LLC, moderated by Brian Butler, President & CEO of Vistra Communications.
 
Key Takeaways:
·   Troy Taylor's success story & how to do business with Coke Florida
·   HOT Business opportunities
·   in-person networking with key buyers & Representatives
·   How the FSMSDC fits into your Success plan
·   FSMSDC 2022 accomplishments & 2023 Goals
 
This is a hybrid event; tickets range from $20 - $60.
 
Location: 4103 USF Cedar Circle, Room MSC 2708
Date & Time: Feb. 16th, 2023, From 9:30am - 12:00pm 
Register by: Feb. 9
 
For more details and to register for the event go to: FSMSDC.ORG/ANNUAL-KICKOFF-2023
Business of Biotech 2023: March 10
The Business of Biotech conference began in 2006 and has become a signature event in Tampa Bay. The conference historically attracts over 400 biotech executives, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors and researchers from across the U.S. and is a unique opportunity to meet and collaborate with the innovators of our age.

Registration is open, and sponsorships are available. Find full details about the event at https://moffitt.org/research-science/academic-and-industry-partnerships/office-of-innovation/business-of-biotech/business-of-biotech-2023/
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Pinellas County Economic Development | (727) 464-7332 | econdev@pinellascounty.org
13805 58 St. N., Suite 1-200 | Clearwater, FL 33760