Target Industries
The success of Pinellas County’s key industries is evident in the region’s vibrant and robust economy, talented workforce and growing industry clusters.
Discover the ideal business climate.
A hub for innovation and talent.
Centered at the heart of the eight-county Tampa Bay region, Pinellas County is a hub for six major industry clusters in manufacturing, defense and homeland security, aviation and aerospace, life sciences, business and financial services and IT. While the community offers multiple ways to help with site readiness and assistance for scaling up, the County has deployed Pinellas County Economic Development to take a hands-on, personalized approach with target industries to foster high-wage skills growth by collaborating with partner agencies and educational institutions in the region to produce and retain talent.
Ample support for worker training grants, recruitment and hiring is offered by CareerSource Tampa Bay, through which qualified, skilled talent and job seekers are matched with employment opportunities. Talent pipeline development starts early in Pinellas County Schools with STEM- and Engineering-focused middle, high school and technical school programs that prepare a broad segment of students for career pathways in manufacturing, aviation and aerospace and defense. A deep pool of veteran talent that is over 10,000 strong is one of Pinellas’ assets. For many of Pinellas County’s major employers, the solution to sourcing talent and closing skills gaps for early career employees and upskilling employees in life sciences, homeland and cybersecurity, business and financial services lies in partnership with St. Petersburg College, USF St. Petersburg, Nova Southeastern University Tampa Bay in Clearwater, and Eckerd College.
Ample support for all your business needs.
Companies looking to get started or expanding their footprint draw upon our experts that know the market inside and out and provide the tools and environment to help drive investment and job creation. Pinellas County Economic Development delivers comprehensive real estate and site selection assistance, market research, technical assistance with investment tools and development, and redevelopment strategies to help businesses open and expand their footprint resulting in fiscal and economic resiliency throughout the County.
How can we help?
If your business is considering starting up, expanding or investing in Pinellas County, contact an expert today.
Learn More
Economic Advantage
Quick Facts
3rd
Largest Manufacturing Employment Base in FL.
2nd
Largest Manufacturing Establishment Base in FL
1
International Airport and 1 Foreign Trade Zone
#2
Best State for Business is FL
Connect with us.
For more information about Pinellas’ Target Industry Clusters, contact:
Suzanne Christman, CEcD, MEDP, Division Director of Business Development.
News & Success Stories
Stay updated on the latest industry news in Pinellas County.
Review the Latest News
about Business in Pinellas
27 Gulf Coast companies ranked among fastest growing in Southeast
Dynasty’s new $10M St. Pete HQ to include cocktail area, rooftop patio
$250 million St. Pete Pier expansion revealed with underwater manatee viewing pods, amphitheater
April 2026 Business news
Out now: the April 2026 issue of Pinellas County Business News, sharing results from the 15th Annual Reverse trade Show, upcoming events for medical device manufacturers and defense industry companies, and an invitation to participate in a hurricane recovery exercise.
Pinellas County Reverse Trade Show: Connecting Businesses to Buyers for 15 Years
In its 15th year, the 2026 Pinellas County Reverse Trade Show connected more than 120 business attendees to buyers from 24 government agencies and prime contractors, exceeding expectations and capitalizing on the Tampa Bay region’s growth in government contracting opportunities for small businesses.
CONTACT US
Division Director, Business Development
schristman@pinellas.gov
(727) 464-7332
