July 2004

Richard (Buzz) David, CEcD, Accepts Top Job at Amarillo Economic Development; PCED Welcomes Mike Meidel as New Director.  PCED’s Director, Buzz David will be departing on July 16^th to become the President of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation.  Mr. David will be greatly missed by his staff and colleagues.  During his tenure, he has made significant contributions to Pinellas County, the region and the state’s economic development efforts.

The PCED team is delighted to welcome Mike Meidel, Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, as the new Director at PCED.  Mr. Meidel’s first day will be August 2, and his new staff is looking forward to working with this well-known economic development professional and community leader.  Click here for more information regarding Mr. Meidel’s selection as the new Director of PCED.

Post and Search Jobs on WorkNet Pinellas’ Enhanced Website, www.WorkNetPinellas.org.  WorkNet Pinellas recently unveiled a new, dynamic website designed to unite employers and career seekers. Users can expect direct links to WorkNet staff, labor market information, subscriber email lists and interactive job searches and postings.  For more information, log onto www.worknetpinellas.org.  

Find New Customers at the Multi-Chamber Business Showcase.  Join local chambers of commerce and their members at the Multi-Chamber Business Showcase on July 8^th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Pinellas Expo Center in Pinellas Park. The event will feature product displays, local exhibitor showcases, networking opportunities and prize drawings.  For more information, or to register to become an exhibitor, click here.

Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater MSA Leads Florida in Job Growth. Over 22,000 new jobs, largely in the Professional and Business Services Industry, were created in the Tampa Bay area during May 2004, contributing to Florida’s top ranking job growth. Preliminary unemployment rates for Pinellas County and Florida were also positive, with Pinellas County’s unemployment rate at 3.4%, (compared to 5.7% nationally), and Florida’s unemployment rate at 4.6%. For more information, visit www.labormarketinfo.com, or click here for a preview of Pinellas County’s current leading economic indicators.

Develop Effective Record Keeping Systems With QuickBooks Training.  The Pinellas County Business Development Center is hosting Mastering QuickBooks, training for businesses that are utilizing QuickBooks to develop effective record keeping systems.  The seminar will be held on July 27^th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and will feature Jill Ames Bartholmey of JLZ Enterprises.  Participants will learn QuickBooks basics through hands-on examples, valuable tips from the pros, and an interactive question/answer session.  All course materials will be provided and there is no cost to attend.  To register, contact businesshelp@siliconbay.org or call (727) 453-7200.

Have You Returned Your Survey? 10,000 businesses have been randomly selected to receive Pinellas County Economic Development’s fourth biennial Business Assistance Survey.  If you received one, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and return it to PCED by July 30^th.  Your comments are important to us and other Pinellas County businesses, and we look forward to posting results on www.SiliconBay.org by September. 

Mexico Inbound Mission Builds Ties and Promotes Business Opportunities.  Join Pinellas County businesses and government officials as they meet with private sector representatives from Cancun, Mexico on August 2^nd and 3^rd, to strengthen community and private sector ties between Pinellas County and Cancun, build market opportunities, support the growth of two-way trade, and promote east west cargo patterns across the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.  For more information, or to attend this event, contact Kathleen Good at kgood@pinellascounty.org.

Watch Good Business Pinellas TV on Location!   Good Business Pinellas goes on the road this month to visit Pinellas County’s Business Assistance Partnership Specialists (BAPs) as they assist new and existing businesses in Largo, Oldsmar and St. Petersburg. The BAP Program is a tri-partnership between the county, cities and chambers of commerce designed to identify solutions to business challenges.  For a schedule, or to watch Good Business Pinellas TV anytime, click here.   

Florida Boat Inc. and Bay Tree Rehabilitations & Nursing Center Named Businesses of the Year.  Congratulations to Florida Boat, Inc., the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year, and Bay Tree Rehabilitations & Nursing Center, the Chamber’s Large Business of the Year.  The Chamber is proud to honor each of these unique businesses and praises their dedication to outstanding customer service and community involvement. For more information about each of these businesses and the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, visit www.palmharborchamber.org.

Registration deadlines for the Primary and General Election are due August 2^nd and November 4^th.  For more information, or to request an absentee ballot, call the Supervisor of Elections at (727) 464-6788.

Late Breaking News...The Florida Economic Development Council selected Richard (Buzz) David, CEcD, as the Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year during FEDC's Annual Conference in Orlando. The award is given in recognition of the achievements of the outstanding economic developer within the State of Florida. For more information about FEDC and this year's honoree click here.