Helping existing businesses to grow and clearing the way for new business to flourish are at the heart of Pinellas County's economic development initiatives.

To keep our economy thriving, Pinellas County Economic Development has implemented and innovative Business Assistance Partnership with many of the county's municipalities and their businesses. The purpose is to provide information on starting and/or growing business in Pinellas County and its partnering communities.

The assistance can include business plan development, financing source identification, permitting information, red tape elimination, liaison services, demographic surveys, as well as customized training, employment services, incumbent worker training and more. Importantly these services are provided at no charge.

Business Assistance Specialists are hired through the tri-partnership to act as information conduits to link businesses with solutions to their issues. The specialists also regularly attempt to identify and monitor "at risk" and growth-postured businesses to isolate their needs and assist in their efforts to prosper and grow.

They track attitudes, opinions, and concerns of employers - such as permitting, training, health insurance, workers' compensation, government regulations, and financing - through ongoing, on-site surveys. So, When a "red flag" pops up, the partnership between the county, city, and businesses (even state and national organizers, if necessary) goes to work to ensure available resources are being leveraged to the greatest extent possible for the company.