Your Opportunity to Influence the Plan for Redevelopment in Pinellas County, February 1, 2 & 3. The Draft Redevelopment Plan Summit, Pinellas County’s third redevelopment summit, will consist of four half-day workshops throughout Pinellas County. Participants will build on the consensus reached at the previous summits and provide input for the final redevelopment plan. Locations include: Ruth Eckerd Hall, February 1, from 1:00-5:00 p.m.; USF St. Petersburg, February 2, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; Largo Cultural Center, February 2, from 6:00-9:00 p.m.; and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Hall, February 3, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The content of each workshop will be identical. To register for the workshop most convenient for you, click here. 

WorkNet Pinellas $80,000 RFP Targets Training. WorkNet Pinellas, in conjunction with the Florida High Tech Corridor, is pleased to announce the allocation of $80,000 in training funds for Pinellas County employers. Responses to the RFP must be submitted no later than January 10, 2005 and have a manufacturing focus. For more information, or to view this RFP, click here.

STAR TEC Welcomes New Tenants. STAR Technology Enterprise Center (STAR TEC), the manufacturing and technology business accelerator located at the Young-Rainey Science, Technology and Research (STAR) Center in Largo, recently accepted three new high-tech tenants: Cyber Shield Network, a developer of advanced information security technologies; Ready Alert TM, a web-based emergency notification company; and Scalable Network Technologies, a leader in network simulation software. For more information about STAR TEC or its tenants, contact Tonya Clark, STAR TEC executive director at clarkt@ctcgsc.org or visit www.STARTECflorida.com.

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and Tranquility Day Spa Named Businesses of the Year. The Tampa Bay Businesses Journal recently announced its Business of the Year Winners recognizing several Tampa Bay area firms and their contribution to the local economy. Pinellas County Economic Development extends congratulations to all of the finalists and winners, including: the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Government Business of the Year, and Tranquility Day Spa, Rookie Business of the Year. For more information about the awards, or to view a complete list of the winners, visit www.tampabay.bizjournals.com.

Network With Local Technology Companies at TBTF’s Fast ‘N Furious Partnering Conference on January 12.
The Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) and the Central Florida Technology Partnership are pleased to present a partnering conference for companies in the digital media, software & information technology services, e-learning, modeling, simulation & training, optics & photonics, and bioscience industries. The conference will be held at the Lakeland Center on January 12^th, from 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. To register, click here or call (727) 510-2524.

Mike Monahan is Pinellas Park’s New Business Assistance Specialist. Pinellas County Economic Development is pleased to welcome Mike Monahan to the Business Assistance Partnership (BAPs) Program, a tri-partnership between Pinellas County, local municipalities and chambers of commerce.  Mr. Monahan will be based at the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce, 5851 Park Boulevard, Pinellas Park. He is looking forward to working with the City of Pinellas Park to provide no cost business assistance and entrepreneurial guidance to local companies. For more information, or to speak with Mr. Monahan, call (727) 544-4777 or visit www.pinellasparkchamber.com.  

Starting or Growing a Business? The Pinellas County Business Development Center is hosting NxLeveL Business Training for entrepreneurs and growing small businesses beginning every Thursday evening from 5:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. January 13 and continuing through March 17. NxLeveL participants learn from industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs while testing the feasibility of their business concept, developing a business plan, and determining their need for business financing. A course fee of $149 includes textbook, workbook and unlimited counseling sessions. For more information, or to register, call (727) 453-7200 or email businesshelp@siliconbay.org.

Don’t Miss Good Business Pinellas Television in the New Year. Good Business Pinellas (GBP), Pinellas County’s business and economic development focused television show, has released its new schedule for 2005. Starting this month, GBP will air on Pinellas Channel 18, Monday - Saturday at 6:00 a.m.; Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 a.m.; and Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. In addition, GBP airs on St. Petersburg College Channel 19 throughout the week. For more information on GBP, call (727) 464-7425 or visit www.siliconbay.org/media.
 

Welcome New Business Leaders, Andy Hafer and Beth Coleman. Pinellas County Economic Development extends a warm welcome to Andy Hafer, Tampa Bay Technology Forum’s new Executive Director, and Beth Coleman, the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce’s new President/CEO. Both leaders have extensive business experience and are committed to fostering business growth in Pinellas County and its surrounding regions.

PCBDC Releases 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 January, click here.