November 2007

Welcome to the Communities of Pinellas. Pinellas County Economic Development recently launched Communities of Pinellas as a new tool to further redevelopment in Pinellas County. The booklet provides information about Pinellas and its communities, including demographics, redevelopment projects, and opportunities in each community. Click here to view and download a copy.

2008 Florida Venture Capital Conference. The 17th annual Florida Venture Capital Conference will be heldJan. 29 and 30 at theRenaissance Vinoy in St. Petersburg. During the Conference, approximately 20-25 of the best Florida-based private companies looking for venture capital funding in Florida will make presentations to a national audience of venture capitalists, investment bankers and private equity investors. Seminars for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists will focus on various aspects of the venture capital industry. In-depth panel discussions will cover a variety of topics. Click here for more information.

Pinellas County's One Bay Public Workshop Focused on Community Redevelopment and Transportation Solutions. During the Oct. 4 exercise participants concentrated on promoting quality communities by uniquely clustering higher density mixed-use development organized around transportation corridors that maximize multi-modal transportation options. To learn more about the workshop's planning for 2050 click here.

3^rd Annual Florida Medical Manufacturers' Consortium Symposium, Dec. 4 - 5. The Florida Medical Manufacturers' Consortium (FMMC) presents Florida's premier event for medical device companies. The symposium will include educational presentations, legislative updates, regulatory compliance issues, international trade, vendor presentations, and networking opportunities. The Lakeland Center will host the event, with accommodations available at Hyatt Place Lakeland Center. Click here for more information. To learn about exhibitor opportunities, call (813) 716-2554.

Quarterly EnviroBusiness Hazardous Waste Collection Day. The next EnviroBusiness Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Household Electronics & Chemical Collection Center, 2990 110^th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. The quarterly collection offers businesses an inexpensive and convenient way to properly dispose of unwanted hazardous electronics and chemical waste. Any business may drop off its hazardous electronics. To drop off chemicals, businesses need to qualify as small waste generators, (producing less than 25 gallons, or 220 pounds, of chemical waste per month). Businesses pay the contractors directly, at the county's reduced contract prices. For many electronic items, the price is either “no charge” or “minimal charge”. For more information, call (727) 464-7500 or visit www.pinellascounty.org/bizwaste.

4^th Annual TBTF Industry Achievement Awards Gala, Nov. 8. The Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) will host this black-tie event celebrating the achievements of the Tampa Bay area's technology community. Awards finalists include Pinellas companies, Catalina Marketing, iDatix, Network Liquidators, IC Intracom, and Ultramatics. Click here for more information.

USF Entrepreneurship Program Named Among Best in U.S. The University of South Florida has been named the ninth best graduate entrepreneurship program in the nation for 2007 by the Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine. The university's program, which is just five years old, is included in Entrepreneur Magazine's November issue, ranking the nation's best educational programs. Learn more about USF's Center for Entrepreneurship at www.entrepreneurship.usf.edu.

November 2007 Pinellas County Success Story

Dorosinski Campbell Design Associates - Small Business Lending Fair Success. The 2007 Pinellas County Business Development Center Small Business Lending Fair resulted in a substantial line of credit for Dorosinski Campbell Design Associates. Sean Dorosinski attended the Aug. 28 event and, after shopping among the 25 different lenders there, he found that a line of credit from Bank of America was a perfect fit for his business expansion. The money will allow the company to hire four new employees, open a satellite office in Michigan, and bid on more projects around the country. “The Lending Fair was a terrific experience. With so many lenders in one place, it was easy to shop for the option that worked best for us,” commented Dorosinski. Click here to read more.

Visit Dorosinski Campbell Design Associates at www.dcda.biz.