March 2007

Penny for Pinellas – Vote March 13.  The Penny is a one cent sales tax used to fund new capital projects across Pinellas County.  On March 13, voters will be asked whether they want to renew the Penny for another ten years.  It is important to remember that this is not a new tax – it is a renewal of a one cent sales tax paid by all who spend money in the County, including tourists and other visitors who contribute about one third of the Penny revenue.  Please visit www.pinellascounty.org/penny to learn more about the Penny, and don’t forget to vote on March 13.

FMMC Executive Briefing: Life Sciences Discussion, March 2.  Join Geary Havran, Chairman of the Florida Medical Manufacturers’ Consortium (FMMC), and John Ray, Vice President of Life Sciences for Enterprise Florida, Inc., as they discuss legislative accomplishments and challenges, Florida’s role in life sciences, and recent events at this meeting.  The event will take place from 7:30am – 9:30am at the Feather Sound Country Club, 2201 Feather Sound Drive, Clearwater.  Registration is required and there is a discount for advance purchase.  Contact Rhonda Caruso at Rcaruso@pinellascounty.org to register, or call (727) 464-8123.

Business Seminar: Labor & Immigration, Presented by WorkNet Pinellas.  WorkNet Pinellas cordially invites you to this free seminar featuring Enrique Gonzalez from Fragomen Attorneys at Law.  The event takes place from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on March 5 at the EpiCenter, 13805 58th St. N., Clearwater.  Topics will include the I-9 form, H1-B Visas, the pros and cons of visas, and NAFTA.  Secure your reservation by contacting Kristen Dailey at kdailey@worknetpinellas.org, or call (727) 507-4300, extension 3004.

Upper Tampa Bay Regional Job Fair, April 10, 8:00am – 6:00pm.  If your business is looking for employees, the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce invites you to participate in its 2007 job fair.  The event will be publicized and is free to job seekers.  The Job Fair will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn, 4052 Tampa Rd., Oldsmar, 34677.  To register, contact Mike Monahan at mmonahan@utbchamber.com or (813) 855-4233.

Business Opportunities in Spain and Portugal.  Gonzalo Arance, Deputy Director of Enterprise Florida, Spain will discuss doing business in Spain and Portugal and services available to Florida companies at this March 8 event.  Mr. Arance will answer questions and there will be an opportunity for interested parties to have one-on-one meetings with Mr. Arance following the presentation.  The event will take place at Fowler White Boggs Banker, 501 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1700, Tampa, 33602.  For more information, please contact Rebecca Torres-Lundh at Enterprise Florida, Inc., (813) 276-9430 or email rtorres-lundh@eflorida.com.

Congratulations to Minority Business Person of the Year Winners and Finalists.  The Tampa Bay Business Journal honored minority business leaders on February 15 and congratulations are in order for all of the honorees including PCED’s Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Senior Manager of Business Assistance and our colleague Ken Jones of St. Petersburg Economic Development.  Click here for the full report from TBBJ.

More Ways to Grow Your Business Internationally at www.export.gov/fta.   The U.S. Department of Commerce recently launched a new website devoted to the topic of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).  Here, you can learn how FTAs may help your company to enter and compete more easily in the global marketplace.

WorkNet Featured Employer Partnership: Low Cost Mass Media.  Let WorkNet Pinellas help your company recruit for those hard to fill positions through its Featured Employer Partnership.    WorkNet has partnered with CBS Outdoor to offer reduced rates on billboard advertising that will highlight your business as a Featured Employer.    Click here for more details, or call (727) 524-4344 to speak with a Business Services Representative.

March 2007 Pinellas County Success Story

Oscor’s Expansion Creates 55 New Jobs in Palm Harbor.  Oscor, Inc., one of the leading medical device manufacturers in the Southeast has announced a major expansion of their facilities in Palm Harbor.  Oscor’s expansion will add 55 new jobs to their Pinellas County operations.  The company will also increase their footprint with 20,000 square feet of new construction adjacent to their existing 40,000 square foot facility.  The expansion is slated to include clean room space, as well as plastic injection molding facilities and a larger assembly area.  “Our focus on quality and innovation has allowed us to continue to expand our operations.  We’ve found Pinellas County allows us easy access to our customers in North and South America, as well as our Caribbean operations,” explained Thomas Osypka, Oscor’s President and CEO.

Click here to read more of this success story. 

To learn more about the incentives offered by Pinellas County and the State of Florida, please contact our Business Development team at 727-464-7332 or visit www.pced.org.