The City of St. Petersburg's business composition is incredibly diverse, providing for economic resiliency, with six major business clusters flourishing - Medical Technology and Services, Information Technology, Marine Science, Financial Services, Manufacturing, and the Arts, Culture, Events and Tourism. These six are not intended to represent all businesses contributing to the dynamic business climate, however these clusters represent industry sectors of geographically concentrated and inner connectivity.
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Learn more within the 2010/2011 Job Cluster Summits summary. |
Medical Technologies and Services
The types of medical technology and service firms located in St. Petersburg include device manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, research labs, hospitals, distributors and much more. Over 53 percent of all medical manufacturing companies, along the nationally acclaimed Florida High Tech Corridor anchored in St. Petersburg, are located in Pinellas county. In addition, six of the 15 largest medical technology firms in St. Petersburg represent a workforce of 11,000 employees. As such, the city is a center for the evolution of research-to-commercialization business partnerships with world-renowned, award-winning research hospitals and institutions.
Notable organizations include: Smith & Nephew, Florida Blood Services, All Children's Hospital, Bayfront Medical Center, St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Petersburg General Hospital, Edward White Hospital, NDH Medical, Dermazone Solutions, West Pharmaceutical Services
St. Petersburg's diverse economic base of companies offers an ample supply of clients for the city's growing IT cluster, providing specialized services. Downtown St. Petersburg and the Gateway Carillon Business Park are home to a large number of small-to-medium size software and web development companies. The IT cluster has also taken advantage of the research and development partnerships with local universities and colleges, often sharing funding, and creating strategic alliances. The IT industry thrives here, with the excellent telecommunication, educational infrastructure, and thriving entrepreneurial spirit.
Notable organizations include: America II, Home Shopping Network, Accel Networks, Cognitive Solutions, New Advantage, Sage Software, Accenture, FairWarning, Bright House Networks, JCT Web
This cluster has flourished by taking full advantage of the city's geographical positioning along Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico which has proliferated into the creation of the city's downtown Bayboro Harbor District. As the largest marine science community in the Southeast, with employment levels at 1,622 and contributing $251 million in gross county product, it is home to numerous, highly visible marine science research institutes and organizations earning itself an acclaimed international reputation.
View an overview presentation on Bayboro Harbor, an aerial locator map of the district, the summary description of the St. Petersburg Ocean Team committee, or the ocean team's brochure.
Notable institutions include: SRI International, University of South Florida College of Marine Science, Center for Ocean Technology, Florida Institute of Oceanographic Research, International Oceanic Institute, Tampa Bay Estuary, United States Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey Center of Coastal Geology and Regional Commission, The Pier Aquarium, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Center for Marine Conservation
Anchoring the economy of St. Petersburg is the large Financial Services cluster, which represents the largest such cluster in the state. The financial services industry provides access to credit and equity that allows for the growth of local companies and, in turn, provides services and administrative support to help local companies manage their new wealth. The financial services industry has established mutually beneficial partnerships with local higher education institutions and formed corporate supportive partnerships with k-12 youth education, availing itself of a pool of highly qualified employees for the industry.
Notable organizations include: Raymond James Financial, Mercury Insurance, Franklin Templeton, Fidelity, Synovus, Ceridian, Revolution Money, Fidelity National Information Services, Aegon
St. Petersburg is first in Florida for the manufacturing of computer and office equipment, electronics components, and industrial and commercial machinery. In addition, our region has the second highest number of manufacturing employees in the state. Manufacturers of plastic products, sensors, defense-related products, micro-electronics, lasers, medical devices, instrumentation, computer components, and printed circuit boards are important components in the manufacturing mix. Manufacturers have especially found St. Petersburg's transportation, utility infrastructure, and industrial real estate market very appealing.
Notable organizations include: Draper Laboratories, Halkey Roberts, Jabil, Valpak, Lantmannen Unibake, Conax, General Dynamics, Renovations Yacht Company, Agora Leather Products
Arts, Culture, Events, & Tourism
The Arts, Culture, Events, & Tourism cluster of St. Petersburg is a vital and dynamic cluster along Florida's west coast. This cluster has been estimated to contribute $9.2 million in annually generated revenues and is a key economic driver for the city. The city is home to 5,188 lodging units and over 200 ethnically diverse dining restaurants.
The city flourishes as an active performing arts community; home to seven museums, five performing art theaters, 25+ art galleries, and hosts monthly gallery and historic preservation walking tours, making St. Petersburg a must-see cultural destination of Florida.
In 2011, American Style magazine ranked St. Petersburg as #1 in the Arts in the Nation for mid-sized city population.
In addition, within the city's downtown waterfront park system, approximately 9-million visitors come to the city to enjoy over 1,000 annually hosted events including: the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Ribfest, Saturday Morning Market, Mainsail Arts Festival, St. Anthony's Triathlon, and many, many more!
St. Petersburg offers residents and visitors a diverse mix of events to suit interests from Art to Zen and in between. To learn more, read the 2010 America for the Arts report and visit St. Pete Arts online.
Notable organizations and events include: Progress Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater, The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, The Morean Arts Center, American Stage, The Florida Orchestra, Studio@620, Salvador Dali Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Florida Craftsmen Gallery, Florida International Museum, St. Petersburg Museum of History, The Florida Holocaust Museum, Craftsman House, Palladium, Great Explorations Children's Museum, State Theater, Sunken Gardens, The Rays Major League Baseball.
To learn more about employers, please visit the Major Employers site page.
To learn about the city's premier higher education facilities that provide for a pool of qualified workforce employees supporting the local business economy, click here.