Economic Development and Housing

Services

• Business Counseling Services
• Site Selection Services

Business Counseling

Explore the Opportunities!

Do you have a written plan for success? A written business plan complete with pro-forma financial statements can serve as an operating guide as well as a financing prospectus. There are many resources available to help counsel both the novice and the seasoned businessperson.

SCORE- Services Corps of Retired Executives

SCORE is a volunteer counseling arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Score offers free counseling for small business. Counselors’ experience includes: accounting, advertising, computer systems, construction, franchising, hotels, import/export, insurance, manufacturing, marketing, real estate, restaurants, retail, sales and management. (Se habla español)

Contact: Juan Fret, Chapter Chair
Location: 4707 140th Avenue, North Suite 311, Clearwater, Fl 33762
1130 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, Fl 33755
Hours: 10-12 and 1-3 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Phone: 727-532-6800 or 727-461-0011 call for appointment
www.score115.org

SBDC – Small Business Development Center and Entrepreneurial Training

The University of South Florida’s SBDC is your small-business partner and your resource for business assistance. SBDC’s services include FREE one-on-one confidential business counseling, low-cost entrepreneurial training and the Business Resource Center SBDC offers workshops and seminars that are taught by industry experts.

Contact: Wayne Brass, Pinellas County Area Manager, Marketing
Location: 1101 Channelside Drive, Suite 210, Tampa, Fl 33602
1130 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, Fl 33755
Hours: 8-5, Monday -Friday
Phone: 813-905-5800 or 727-461-0011 for appointment
www.sbdc.usf.edu

Pinellas County Business Development Center

The PCBDC blends business expertise, customized training, technology applications and real world experience –to help your enterprise succeed. Whether you are starting out, needing to expand, or just improve your bottom line the center is here for you.

Offered are business and education training courses, counseling services, business information center with reference library.

Contact: Cynthia Johnson, Sr. Business Assistance Manager
Location: EpiCenter in the ICOT Business Park
13805 58th St N, Suite 1-200, Clearwater, Fl 33760
Hours: 8-5
Phone: 727-464-7332
www.SiliconBay.org

WorkNet Pinellas One Stop Center

Job seekers:
Get help selecting a new career, finding a new job, create a resume, and locating suitable education or training.

Employers:
Place job orders and find suitable candidates, review suitable training, analyze the labor market, and determine competitive starting salaries.

Contact: Pam Perkins, Centralized Lead Recruiter
Location: 2312 Gulf to Bay
Clearwater, Florida 33765
Hours: 8-5 Monday-Friday
Phone: 727-608-2419
www.worknetpinellas.org

City of Clearwater Economic Development

Point of Contact for services programs to benefit businesses and residents in Clearwater.

Contact: Diane Hufford, Economic Development Coordinator
Location: Clearwater City Hall, 1st Floor
112 S. Osceola Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33756
Hours: 8-5 Monday-Friday
Phone: 727-562-4054
http://www.myclearwater.com/gov/depts/econ_devel

Site Selection

In today's market, the right space at the right price can make all the difference between success and failure of your business. As well, knowing the zoning, square footage, floor plan, on site parking and adjacent uses of your property can reduce the possibility of problems down the road. For real estate and market information, contact the following entities:

City of Clearwater Economic Development

Location: 112 S. Osceola Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33756
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday)
Phone: 727-562-4220
www.myclearwater.com

Pinellas County Economic Development

Location: 14010 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 704
Clearwater, FL 33762
Phone: 727-464-7332
Fax: 727-464-7053
www.siliconbay.org

Pinellas Realtor Organization

Location: 7655 38th Ave. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Phone: 727-347-7655
www.tampabayrealtor.com

Progress Energy Economic Development

Location: 17757 US Highway 19, Suite 560
Clearwater, FL 33764
Phone: 727-519-2477
www.progress-energy.com/community

Tampa Bay Partnership

Location: 4300 W. Cypress St., Suite 250
Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-878-2208
www.tampabay.org