Tampa Bay's Latest Business News

November 2010

Pinellas County Success Story: Formulated Solutions Expansion Adds 60 New Jobs.  Thanks to an unparalleled redevelopment opportunity in Pinellas County, Formulated Solutions is set to expand its operations, adding 60 new high-wage pharmaceutical jobs to the area over the next few years.  Says Eric Dann, President & CEO of Formulated Solutions, “Despite a difficult economy, we’ve experienced tremendous success over the past four years and were able to secure the financing necessary to increase production and meet demand for our products.”  With assistance from Pinellas County Economic Development, the company was able to find the perfect location for its expansion without leaving home.  Read more of this story at http://www.pced.org/?ltid=6083.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Workshop, Nov. 10.  Learn how to become certified as a DBE and discover the opportunities available for small business enterprise firms. The DBE Program is a federal program through the Department of Transportation designed to encourage and facilitate the growth and development of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. The program includes services for certification of DBE businesses, monitoring contracts for compliance with DBE participation goals, and outreach activities to attract new DBE’s. Visit www.pced.org/?ltid=6066 to register. The Pinellas County Small Business Development Center will host this workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the SPC District Office located at 6021 142 Ave. North, Largo, Florida 33760.

Workplace Diversity, Nov. 17 – a WorkNet Pinellas Business Seminar.  Managing diversity well provides a distinct advantage in an era when flexibility and creativity are keys to competitiveness.  At this free seminar, Barron Johnson, Business Performance Consultant and Certified Trainer with Dale Carnegie Training Tampa Bay will lead a discussion about diversity in the workplace, from hiring and firing practices and EEO compliance to understanding diversity and motivating staff.  The event will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the EpiCenter, 13805 58 St. N., Clearwater, 33760.  Seats are limited; RSVP early by contacting Marilyn Brown at mbrowne@worknetpinellas.org or (727) 608-2420.

Nov. TEC Talk: Part 2 – Funding Options for Entrepreneurial Ventures.  On Nov. 9, join special guest Kurt J. Long from FairWarning, Inc. and discover how one serial entrepreneur grew a successful business from cash flow and profits.  Learn more and register at http://tectalk.eventbrite.com/.

What’s Next. Tampa Bay Partnership 2010 Annual Meeting and Community Update, Nov. 19.  Join hundreds of regional business leaders to explore what’s next for the Tampa Bay region’s economy.  The luncheon will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Tampa.  For more information, registration and details on sponsorship opportunities, visit www.tampabay.org/subpage.asp?navid=7&id=28.

Want to Do Business with the Dominican Republic?  Join the Feb. 13-16 Export Sales Mission.  The Dominican Republic is Florida’s 9th largest trading partner and the largest market of the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement countries.  Enterprise Florida’s export sales mission to the Dominican Republic will also include an update on business opportunities in Haiti from the U.S. Commercial Service experts and Haitian business organization leading reconstruction efforts in the region.  Learn more and register at www.eflorida.com/download/DR_Flyer_2011.pdf.

FMMC Nov. Executive Briefing – Using Contracts to Minimize Product Liability Risk.  Join Rochelle Davis, Staff Attorney/Loss Control Consultant with Medmarc Insurance Group from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Feather Sound Country Club Nov. 16.  Register at www.flamedmfg.org/upcomingEvents.htm.

Moffitt Cancer Center’s Business of Biotech  – Call for Exhibitors. Attention Tampa Bay medical device manufacturers and biotechnology businesses: if you are interested in showcasing the capabilities of your business at the 5th Annual Business of Biotech, please contact Danielle Ruiz at druiz@pinellascounty.org.  Business of Biotech will be held on Jan. 31, 2011; more details will be posted as they are announced.

International Economic Development Council Real Estate Development and Reuse in Tampa, Nov. 4 – 5.  Learn about the various financing tools that are available at the local, regional and state level, including tax increment financing, bond financing, land assembly and brownfield redevelopment.
Details at www.iedconline.org/?p=Training_Real_Estate_FL.