Tampa Bay's Latest Business News

March, 2011
Ceridian Expands in Pinellas
With the promise of creating 220 high-wage jobs over the next year, Ceridian’s plan to expand in the city of St. Petersburg is good news for both the company and Pinellas County, Florida.  Pinellas County Commission Chair Susan Latvala attests, “Job creation is paramount to our economic future.  I’m delighted to help a long-time local company increase its presence in Pinellas and bring new, high-paying jobs to our area.”  Ceridian worked with Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) and the City of St. Petersburg to seek funding options that would make an expansion in Florida the best option for the company.  “We’ve been growing our company here in St. Petersburg since 1996,” explains Charles Daye, Senior Vice President of Human Resources with Ceridian.  “We really didn’t wantto go elsewhere to continue our growth, and we’re delighted to have some options that make expanding here cost-effective.”

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Business & Financial Services -
Tallying Up Success in Pinellas
With a pro-business climate, job creation tax incentives, low tax rates, a network of industry professionals, a developed infrastructure, and a skilled workforce, Pinellas is a perfect base for business and financial service corporations.   In fact, a comparison of financial hotspots across the globe has named Florida as one of the best places on the planet to establish financial technology and support facilities.   Companies such as Ceridian and the Forensic Innovation Center have found Pinellas to be the perfect location in which to grow and succeed.  How about growing your business with us?  Call (727) 464-7332 to learn more.

PCED 2010 Annual Report
We’re pleased to share with you an update of our progress and programs in our 2010 Annual Report: http://www.pced.org/?ltid=4519.  Learn how investment tools, training and financing can help you grow your Pinellas County business.

Pinellas County Road Projects Update
An efficient transportation system supports positive economic activity by improving business access to its labor force, materials and suppliers, and its customers.  A number of recent and upcoming road projects will also provide new construction jobs, relieve congestion, improve commute times and encourage private sector investment.  Click here to learn more about these projects.

Mar. 16-17: Free Resource Hall Admission for Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) Florida
Join Pinellas County Economic Development and Florida’s High Tech Corridor for MD&M Florida at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.  This is the medical device industry’s resource for project acceleration and the only show in the Southeast this year.  Visit www.pced.org/?ltid=6202 for the discount code for complimentary admission.

Call for Early Stage Web Ventures -
IDEA Camp 2011, Mar. 25
Do you have an innovative web venture in the early stages of development? Would you like to work with industry experts and coaches to create a winning pitch and value proposition for your web concept?  STAR Technology Enterprise Center’s IDEA Camp is for you!  Learn more and register at http://www.startecflorida.com/events/idea-camp/idea-camp-home.aspx.

Need to Dispose of Hazardous Business Waste? Mar. 9
Dispose of unwanted hazardous electronics and chemical waste at the EnviroBusiness collections, scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month.  Collections will be taken from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Household Electronics & Chemical Collection Center, 2990 110th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.  Any Pinellas County 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). About ninety percent of all the electronic equipment brought in is either reused or recycled.  Visit www.pinellascounty.org/bizwaste to learn more.

Pinellas County Public Budget Meetings,
Mar. 10, Mar. 15, April 16
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners is hosting three public budget meetings to gather opinions and priorities from county residents on how to address the anticipated $21.5 million shortfall in the county’s General Fund. This will be the fifth year of budget reductions. Please consider attending a meeting or participating in the eTownHall session. Find all the details at http://www.pinellascounty.org/newsrel.htm#budgetmeetings_02_24.