All businesses, regardless of size, need to be prepared in case of disaster or emergency. Businesses that have a recovery plan in place have a better chance of getting back up and running following a major disaster, and may be able to avoid much of the uncertainty and confusion that can accompany even a minor emergency.

Not sure where to start? Want to review and update your recovery plan with an expert? We can help!

Quick steps to take now:

• Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a Florida Small Business Development Center at PCED specialist at PCED.ORG/Consulting

• Bookmark Pinellas County's 2026 Hurricane Guide: pinellas.gov/hurricane-guide

• Find your evacuation zone: kyz.pinellas.gov

• Sign up for free alerts about emergencies and other important community news through Alert Pinellas

Ready to expand your disaster preparedness knowledge and explore more ways to prepare your business? Visit our website for detailed information and links to local resources.

Our Business Development team was delighted to co-host Central Florida Development Council (CFDC)’s recent Leadership Mission in St. Petersburg. CFDC leadership and board members joined regional stakeholders for a series of meetings and discussions focused on workforce development, business recruitment, downtown revitalization, innovation ecosystems, and collaborative growth initiatives. Participants had the opportunity to learn from successful projects and best practices that have contributed to St. Petersburg’s continued economic momentum.

The visit highlighted Pinellas County’s and St. Petersburg’s combined benchmark for excellence, driven by community investments such as Pinellas County’s award-winning Employment Sites Program, entrepreneurial programming and business consulting, and business incubator space.

“Leadership visits like this provide valuable insight into how communities across Florida are approaching growth, talent attraction, and quality of place,” said Sean Malott, CFDC President and CEO.  “By engaging with fellow economic development professionals and community leaders, we can bring back ideas and strategies that support continued success throughout Central Florida.”

Has your Pinellas County small business been impacted 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 #PinellasCounty, 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.