Business Climate
Pinellas County averages 360 days of sunshine each year and its beaches rank among the best in the United States. Home to nearly a million people, Pinellas’ supportive business ecosystem and strategic location provide businesses a competitive advantage.
Pinellas County’s Ideal Business Climate.
Doing business just feels better in Pinellas County. With its sunshine and skyscrapers, delightful downtowns, idyllic white sugar-sand waterfronts, innovative industry hubs, and a welcoming, talented community with an entrepreneurial spirit, Pinellas offers something for everyone.
Strategic Location
The Gulf Coast’s most popular tourist destination boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem across 24 municipalities, a driven and trained workforce, robust infrastructure, and regional and global connectivity via Interstate-275, two international airports in St. Pete-Clearwater and Tampa, and the largest port in Florida. Anchored by the urban markets of Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Pinellas has the third largest base of manufacturing employment in Florida, generated 1/5 of all state of Florida economic activity in medical devices, and is a top location for aviation and aerospace and other industries. An extensive network of suppliers, service-providers and business associations support businesses both large and small.
Industry Giants & Innovators
Six major industry clusters contribute to a diversified and robust economy and a talented workforce. Industry giants and Fortune 500 companies Raymond James Financial, Jabil Circuit and TD Synnex are headquartered in Pinellas County. Companies like Home Shopping Network, ValPak and KnowBe4 firmly support Pinellas County’s big data sector. Technical innovation and industry disruption in Pinellas has attracted companies like ARK Invest and Dynasty Financial Partners. Opening in the fall of 2023, the County’s new incubator, The ARK Innovation Center, operated by the prestigious Tampa Bay Innovation Center, will bring a 45,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility to catalyze future startups and technology companies in the Tampa Bay region.
Ample Support for Business Growth
Businesses can move to or start up in Pinellas and expect to begin growing immediately, and new and established businesses will find ample support for sustained growth through the community’s financing and investment tools, and programs like Pinellas County’s $90+ Million Employment Sites Program to prepare modernized sites for jobs of the future.
To keep our economy thriving and encourage entrepreneurship, Pinellas County Economic Development teams with our local Chambers of Commerce. Pinellas’ chambers are your resource for networking, advocacy, information, growth strategies, and education. We hope you’ll join our chambers and become an active member of our business community.
Workforce Collaboration & Partnerships
Pinellas County has a diverse and growing workforce as a result of a strong foundation in education, starting from Pinellas County Schools to higher education institutions such as St. Petersburg College, University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus, Eckerd College, and a multitude of training and workforce programs. Employers in Pinellas have access to a wide variety of programs and resources to meet talent needs as industries and technologies grow and change.
Quick Facts
360
Days of Sunshine
6
Industry Clusters
3rd
Largest Manufacturing Base in Florida
972,852+
Residents in Pinellas
Connect with us
Ready to learn more about doing business in Pinellas County? Contact us for more information and stay connected with the latest news and updates.
News & Success Stories
Stay updated on the latest business news in Pinellas County.
Review the Latest News
about Business in Pinellas
Florida economy is in better shape than others, economist says
CareerSource Pinellas renews focus, expands programming
Woman Finds Her Passion in Real Estate, Giving Back
Client Pamela Bell has nothing but praise for the assistance provided by Kurt Forster and the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at PCED. “I am telling you the SBDC was a godsend to me. I never would have known how to put everything together the way that it has.” Bell owns her own Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) and holds her license under Coastal Christies Property Group, LLC, which focuses on residential, investment, and commercial properties, including luxury.
March Pinellas County Business News
This issue’s feature story is the release of a new video featuring testimonials from business leaders and CEOs in Pinellas County where they dish on the unique qualities that make Pinellas County the ideal business location. Inside, you can also learn about the upcoming free seminar hosted by Amazon and PCED on March 8, the Florida Medical Device Symposium, and more!
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