December 2006

Happy Holidays from Pinellas County Economic Development.  Best wishes for a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year from the entire PCED team.  We thank you for your continued support.

Arm Your Employees with the Tax Information They Need.  Each year, millions of dollars go unclaimed by low to moderate income working families in Pinellas County.  The Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties seeks to ensure that those who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit claim their full, earned share through free tax preparation assistance, financial education programs, and partnerships with local businesses.  To learn more about the Prosperity Campaign and its programs, visit www.prosperitycampaign.info/, or call (727) 328-0618.

WorkNet Job Fair Targets Professionals.  WorkNet Pinellas is sponsoring a job fair for professionals on Thursday, January 4, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.  Join the many businesses that have found quality candidates at this event, including Don Easterday of Raytheon.  If you would like your business to participate, please contact Roy Roggensack at (727) 791-5834, or email rroggensack@worknetpinellas.org.

Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates to Drop in 2007.  For the fourth straight year, Florida companies will see a decrease in workers’ compensation insurance rates.  A statewide average decrease of 15.7% will produce a savings of over $400 million for Florida employers.  Click here for more information.

Tips and Tricks of Business and Home Energy Savings.  Business and home owners can learn energy-efficiency measures and other tips at a monthly series of free energy programs at The Home Depot, 10689 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Sponsored by The Home Depot, Progress Energy, and the University of Florida (UF)/IFAS/Pinellas County Extension, the yearlong series includes one-hour programs on lighting, heating, energy efficiency, insulation, windows, solar energy, appliances, duct sealing and holiday safety.  The series begins December 9 and each program runs from 11:00am – 12:00pm.  To register for a program, call (727) 582-2673.  For information on program content, call Bert Henderson at (727) 582-2660.

St. Petersburg College Corporate Training and Six Disciplines Leadership Center Present: Building a Culture of Accountability.  This course is one of a series designed with business leaders in mind.  Building a culture of accountability within an organization is a key element to making a business sustainable over the long-term.  This course will show how an organization can be transformed into one that knows where it is going, monitors its progress, and self-manages its way toward meeting its goals.  The next session will be held January 17, from 8:00am – 12:00pm at the EpiCenter in Largo.  Click here for more information and registration.

NxLeveL™ Business Plan Series Begins January 16.  NxLeveL™ training is a nationally recognized, ten session course designed for people who want to start a business and need the skills to test the feasibility of their business concept.  This series combines the traditional pieces of a NxLeveL™ curriculum with the business assistance resources of the Pinellas County Business Development Center.  A registration fee of $149 covers the entire ten weeks.  To register, call (727) 453-7200 or email businesshelp@pced.org.

Free Holiday Gift Wrap with a Recycling Theme.  Look for Pinellas County’s free, recycled gift wrap at area libraries, selected County and municipal offices and area Chambers of Commerce.  Wrapping paper, tissue paper and greeting cards can also be recycled at any drop-off center or curbside program that accepts mixed paper.  For more information, visit www.pinellascounty.org/utilities, or call (727) 464-7500.

December 2006 Pinellas County Success Story

Young-Rainey STAR Center: Manufacturing Success in Pinellas County.  More than thirty leading companies call the Young-Rainey Science, Technology and Research (STAR) Center, in Largo, Florida home.  At a current ninety-six percent occupancy rate, and a fiscal year 2005 economic impact of $130 million, the STAR Center has made building Pinellas businesses a success story of its own.  With the launch of its new website, the STAR Center is now poised to provide even greater assistance to the local business community. “The STAR Center is committed to assisting local companies and creating jobs.  Our new website is more informative and interactive and provides the information and resources our customers need to succeed,” commented STAR Center Director Paul Sacco. 

Click here to read more of this story.

Visit the STAR Center’s new website at www.young-raineystarcenter.org.