Pinellas Manufacturing Summit Explores the Industry’s Future in County
On October 29, 2025, Pinellas County manufacturing leaders, innovators, and professionals came together to explore the future of the industry at the 4th Annual Pinellas Manufacturing Summit, hosted by the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce. More than 130 attendees heard from keynote speakers, took in expert panel discussions, engaged in networking opportunities, and explored a showcase of cutting-edge products and technologies. Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) actively helped organize, sponsor, and market the event, along with partner organizations AmSkills, ARM Institute, Bay Area Manufacturers Association, City of Pinellas Park, City of Clearwater, Duke Energy, Pinellas County Schools, Pinellas Technical College, Space Florida, and St. Petersburg College. Participant feedback was favorable, with attendees praising the event’s program, depth of speaker knowledge, and opportunities to connect with other manufacturers in the area.
PCED staff recruited guest speakers Suzy Teel, ARM Institute’s Chief Strategy Officer, and Ryan Robertson, Space Florida’s Vice-President of Space Sector Business Development. Teel and Robertson presented an overview on national- and state-level manufacturing trends, pointing out that manufacturing growth is flat nationally, but Florida is seeing an increase in manufacturing business activity and expansion, particularly in the areas of aviation, aerospace, defense, and medical life sciences. “We’ve been seeing that increased activity in our business outreach,” attests PCED’s Scott Talcott, Economic Development Manager. “A large part of our work involves meeting with company leaders to learn what their needs are and help them find solutions that lead to growth. Repeatedly, I hear from manufacturing companies that they want to start here, expand here, put down roots in Pinellas County because we have the tools and resources they need to be successful.”
Talcott served as a panelist at the Pinellas Manufacturing Summit, providing expert information on local tools and resources available to growing businesses. He shared details on financial tools such as Florida sales tax exemptions on electricity, machinery, and equipment; Industrial Revenue Bonds that offer below-market-rate financing to qualified private enterprises; Pinellas County’s Employment Sites Program, which provides funding assistance for the construction and redevelopment of industrial and office buildings; and Pinellas County’s Ad Valorem Tax Exemption program, which reduces ad valorem taxes on qualifying tangible property, or real property such as building construction or equipment for businesses that are new or expanding. Talcott also spoke about workforce training resources that can offset the cost of skills-training for manufacturers, highlighting programs such as Florida’s Quick Response Training and Incumbent Worker Training grants, as well as Pinellas County’s new Skills Enhancement Training (SET) program, which offers funding to target industry employers for the development and implementation of customized training programs.
Additionally, PCED hosted a booth in collaboration with the Florida Small Business Development Center and the Florida APEX Accelerator. Staff there saw a high amount of activity and provided on-the-spot business counseling for attendees. “It was a great opportunity to chat with some longtime clients,” reports Talcott, “but also to connect with potential new clients and learn about their needs and growth plans.” Representatives from companies such as Integral Machining, Lockheed Martin – Aero, and News Feeder America visited the PCED booth to learn more about the organizations’ no-cost assistance.
Overall, the fourth iteration of the Pinellas Manufacturing Summit was hailed as a success by both hosts and participants. In the words of attendee Frank Gyuru, owner of Integral Machining, “I was truly impressed by the 4th Annual Manufacturing Summit. There was a wealth of networking opportunities and expert insights offered. The ability to connect with a diverse group of industries is invaluable. The speakers did a great job providing information on the latest advancements and creative ways to use current and new programs provided by the county and state in manufacturing.”
The 5th Annual Pinellas Manufacturing Summit is planned for October 28, 2026. Details will be released in our monthly e-publication, Pinellas County Business News – visit PCED.ORG/Subscribe to subscribe.
About Pinellas County Economic Development
Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) works with existing businesses to encourage expansion and seeks to attract new companies with high-wage careers to our community. Through investment tools, business classes, professional consulting services, trade missions to open new markets, and strategic partnerships, PCED fosters a pro-business environment and promotes the ideal business climate of Pinellas County, Florida. Learn more at www.pced.org.
