Pinellas County has a New Brownfield Designation. The Young-Rainey STAR Center was designated the county’s newest Redevelopment Area on March 9 by the Board of County Commissioners. The Brownfield Program combines environmental restoration with economic development investment incentives for new or expanded business projects, including a Job Bonus Refund for each new job created by an "eligible" business.  For more information, contact Joyce Gibbs at 727-464-7319 or jgibbs@pinellascounty.org.

Canadian Manufacturer Needs Medical Equipment. Malley Industries, the fifth largest supplier of medical equipment in Canada, is seeking vehicle lifts for ambulances and police vehicles, medical lines for special needs patients, and health/safety related equipment. If you can supply any of these products, or would like more information, contact Larry March, with Enterprise Florida Canada, at lmarch@floridatradeexchange.com.

Northeast High School Center of Finance Helps Prepare Students for Success. Sponsored by the Pinellas County Teachers Credit Union, this new program introduces students to the broad career opportunities in the financial services industry while equipping them with the necessary skills to make sound choices for the future. Students are able to see first-hand the connections between what they learn in school and the larger world, and even test their skills as summer interns. For more information about the program or available interns, contact Debbie Fischer at Debbie_Fischer@places.pcsb.org.

Attention Manufacturers and 501(c)3 Companies! If you need financing for a building, land, or equipment, we can help you obtain a tax-exempt Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) for $1 million to $10 million. IRB’s are now available for eligible projects and are arranged through a local bank with the assistance of Pinellas County Economic Development. We have helped 13 companies finance over $52 million since 1999 and are available to assist with your IRB. For more information, click here or call Danielle Weitlauf at 727-464-7398.

Largo Manufacturer Awarded 40 Free Hours with a Rocket Scientist. Modern Silicone contacted the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (S.A.T.O.P), with a technical problem manufacturing a silicon cooking glove with velcro. The S.A.T.O.P. program, in partnership with NASA, recently accepted the challenge and offered 40 free hours of assistance with Boeing engineers. The S.A.T.O.P. program, which helps businesses solve technical challenges in the areas of mechanical, chemical, electronics, electrical, fluids, adhesives, robotics, manufacturing, environmental, and materials requirements can help your business, also. For more information, email businesshelp@siliconbay.org.

New GIS Site Assistant Unveiled on www.siliconbay.org.The GIS Site Assistant 3.0, which uses Macromedia Flash Player, is compatible with Windows and Macintosh platforms as well as most major internet browsers. Users can expect faster download times, dynamic user interface with built in tool tips, and increased printing capability for reports and maps. To use the new GIS Site Assistant, click here or visit www.siliconbay.org/gis.

Southeast Airlines Introduces New Service to Gary/Chicago from PIE. Beginning May 11, six weekly, mid-afternoon, low fare flights to Gary, Indiana will be departing from the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. For more information on schedules, fares and reservations, visit www.flyseal.com.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to be a Part of Pinellas County’s First LIVE Volunteer-a-Thon. Corporations, individuals, and families are urged to call the Pinellas 18 studios and pledge their time to help others. Company names and number of donated hours will be acknowledged live during the telecast. Businesses can also challenge each other for the most hours pledged! The show will air LIVE on Pinellas 18, Monday, April 26th at 7 p.m. For more information, call Tim Closterman at 727-464-3945 or log on to www.pinellascounty.org.

Are you Ready to Take Your Business to the NxLeveL? The Pinellas County Business Development Center is offering NxLeveL Business Training, the premier training program for entrepreneurs and small businesses who need to develop a complete business plan suitable for obtaining financing and managing the growth of start-ups and existing small businesses. A course fee of $149 includes textbook, workbook, and 10 class sessions with expert speakers. Classes are held every Tuesday night from April 13-June 15, 5:45 p.m.-9:00 p.m. To register, contact Kurt Forster at 727-464-8113 or email businesshelp@siliconbay.org.