Survey shows rise in Internet usage by Pinellas County businesses: The 2002 Business Assistance Survey shows a dramatic increase in the use of the Internet as a business tool: 81% of Pinellas County businesses now use the Internet for business, up 10% from the 2000 survey; 48% have a web page; and 74%, up 6%, agree that the Internet is an important business tool. 58% use e-mail, up 6%; 47% use the Internet for research, an increase of 8%; 39% to purchase products and/or supplies, up 10%; and 34% use if for marketing, an increase of 9%. 31% of county businesses find pertinent news on the Internet, an increase of 10%. 10,000 surveys were mailed out in June with a 14% return. For information contact (727) 464-7344.

Show me the money: Sooner or later, financing a business is always an issue even if the initial financing is in place. The Pinellas Business Development Center's newest class - "Where's The Money?" - can tell you about the different types of loan programs available including low-interest loans from the SBA and organizations that process SBA loans. The class is 2 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, October 22, in the Economic Development offices. Watch for additional courses including "How To Start A Business," "Entrepreneurship 101," "Understanding Finance, Taxes and the IRS," "Where is Your Market and Who is Your Customer?," "Managing a Business/Developing Good Customer Skills," "Could Your Business Use a Rocket Scientist?", "State Incentive Programs," "How to Do Business with Pinellas County," and "Location, Location, Location." For information or to register, contact (727) 453-7228.

U.S. Department of Commerce West Central Office now located in the Pinellas Economic Development Business Development Center: George Martinez, Director of the Tampa Bay United States Export Assistance Center (USAEC), has moved his federal operation to the Pinellas Business Development Center offices in the Airport Business Center, 14010 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 706, Clearwater. Martinez said his mission is helping companies that are looking to export their products and services internationally. For information contact (727) 893-3738.

Meet me in Minneapolis using non-stop air service from St. Petersburg: Sun Country Airlines will again offer scheduled seasonal non-stop service from Minneapolis to St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport beginning mid January 2003, with three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Sun Country can be reached at (651) 681-3900 or visit their web site at www.suncountry.com. For St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport information, contact (727) 453-7800 or visit www.fly2pie.com.

Bizjournals.com Industry News feature gives www.siliconbay.org's commercial real estate database national exposure: Bizjournals.com Industry News Via E-Mail  on October 7 included an article by The Business Journal of Tampa Bay about Pinellas Economic Development's commercial real estate database in its national e-mail newsletter. Bizjournal.com's stories go out daily to 41 Business Journals with 206,406 online subscribers nationwide, including 4,500 in Tampa Bay. For information contact (727) 464-7344.

Remember to watch Good Business Pinellas TV and Radio: Reminder. Good Business Pinellas TV airs nightly at 7 p.m. on Channel 19 and at various times on Pinellas 18. Also, listen to Good Business Pinellas Radio, WHNZ 1250 AM, at 1 p.m., every Wednesday, and anytime - 24/7 - on www.siliconbay.org. For information contact (727) 474-7498.