Disaster Relief for Pinellas County Businesses. FEMA Disaster relief programs are available for Pinellas County citizens and businesses affected by Hurricanes Jeanne, Frances and Charley. This may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and help business owners recover. Begin the application process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or visit www.fema.gov/about/process/.

Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are available to qualified business owners who suffered losses due to the hurricane disasters. Applicants may call the SBA Helpline at 1-800-359-2227 or visit the website at www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/hurricane.html.

Individuals who have lost jobs or businesses as a result of Hurricane Frances or Jeanne may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Click www.floridajobs.org/resources/emergency/UC_info.htm for information. Additional information regarding assistance can be found at www.floridajobs.org/awi_emergency2.htm. For the latest updates on storm recovery from Pinellas County, please visit www.pinellascounty.org/bulletin/

Pinellas County Needs Partners at the Polls. The Supervisor of Elections is requesting the assistance of local companies and organizations that are able to loan employees to serve as poll workers during the General Election on November 2.  Through the Partners at the Polls program, businesses receive great recognition and the thanks of grateful citizens.  For more information contact the Supervisor of Elections office at (727) 464-6108.

Can Accounting be Simplified? Find out at the Business Accounting Procedures Simplified Seminar on October 14th. One of the most difficult aspects of running a business is maintaining an effective record keeping system that can calculate payroll and tax deductions easily. Join John Bryan, E.A. of the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents, as he shares common business accounting mistakes and basic solutions. Small Business Accounting Procedures will be held at the Pinellas County Business Development Center on October 14^th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. There is no fee to attend this seminar. To register, email businesshelp@siliconbay.org or call (727) 453-7200.

Progress Energy Named Among the “Top Utilities for Economic Development in 2003”. For the third consecutive year, Site Selection Magazine has named Progress Energy one of the “Top Utilities for Economic Development”. The list published in last month’s edition of Site Selection Magazine rated utilities on the number of jobs created and new capital investments in 2003. Progress Energy helped attract 9,339 new jobs and more than $694 million in new capital investment throughout its 50,000 square mile service area in Florida and the Carolinas. For more information, contact Bob Rohrlack at robert.rohrlack@pgnmail.com or (727) 519-2590.

National Summit on Cuba 2004 to Explore International Trade Trends and Policy. Join international trade organizations, members of the Tampa Bay business community and trade specialists for conference and networking sessions on October 8^th, 2004, at the University of Tampa. Participants will engage in discussions regarding Cuba’s trade policy, current and future trade opportunities with U.S. businesses and an overview of foreign policy. For a complete schedule of events, or to register, click here. The fee for this summit is $150.

Learn to Maximize Your Trade Show Opportunities at Joint High-Tech Council Event. The Chambers of Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa are pleased to present a free workshop for businesses interested in exploring trade show promotion as an advertising strategy. The workshop will be held on October 22^nd, from 7:45-9:30 a.m. at Catalina Marketing. For more information, or to register, email glytle@clearwaterflorida.org or call (727) 461-0011.

Suzanne Christman, Senior Manager of Business Development for PCED, Awarded CEcD Designation. Ms. Christman has earned the highest level of distinction available for an economic developer, the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This certification is a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development and professional attainment. Christman joins a select group of economic development professionals in Florida with the "CEcD" title.

WorkNet Pinellas Promotes National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Ensuring citizens with disabilities have access to meaningful work opportunities is crucial to Pinellas County’s economy. Throughout October, WorkNet Pinellas is highlighting the uniquely qualified disabled citizens in our local workforce by focusing on qualifications, rather than limitations. Employers with job openings are encouraged to contact WorkNet Pinellas at (727) 524-4344 or visit www.WorkNetPinellas.org to post or search jobs anytime.

Executive Briefing to Florida Medical Manufacturers’ Consortium (FMMC). Michelle S. Dunway, Supervisory Investigator for the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Florida District, will be the keynote speaker for the FMMC’s October 14^th Breakfast Meeting. The 7:30 a.m. breakfast program is sponsored by Grubb & Ellis. For more information, or to register, click here.

PCBDC Releases New Schedule of Business Training Seminars. The Pinellas County Business Development Center offers business training in marketing, financing, business start-up, business accounting procedures, government contracting, and market research.  To view the complete schedule of seminars for October – December, click here.