Clearwater’s worldwide reputation as an idyllic vacation destination, with its beautiful white sands and blue water beaches, is certainly a big part of Clearwater’s identity and a huge asset to the local economy. However, there is so much more to Clearwater that goes far beyond tourism.
The trending industries of cybersecurity, technology, health care, specialized manufacturing and others create a dynamic, thriving economy in Clearwater. The supportive business environment, favorable conditions and incentives, growth potential, exciting developments and an amazing quality of life factor make Clearwater an excellent place to live, work and do business.
Who We Are
Considering Clearwater’s international fame, it may be surprising that everyday life feels much more small-town. The business community looks out for each other — something that has always been there, but has strengthened through the pandemic era.
Amplify Clearwater is the chamber of commerce representing North Pinellas County, and it has an important role in supporting local businesses and enhancing the economic climate. When COVID-19 hit and before any kind of financial assistance from the federal government came in, Amplify Clearwater started 17 initiatives out of 21 proposed ideas to support local businesses.
One of these initiatives was “Attitude of Gratitude — fueling the frontline.” The program used donations from the community to purchase meals from local restaurants and feed frontline workers like nurses, emergency room staff, paramedics, firefighters and police. This helped the mom-and-pop restaurants — who play a big role in maintaining Clearwater’s small-town charm — keep their doors open until mandates were lifted.
This is just one example of resourcefulness and generosity from the community that Amplify Clearwater helps lead.
“We have a very giving community, especially to the arts and culture and to health care,” said Amanda Payne, president and CEO of Amplify Clearwater. “We are a small town in the sense that our business community really looks out for each other.”
Kristina Park, Amplify Clearwater’s executive vice president, shares Payne’s sentiment.
“The small-town charm and the very connected business community is a really big piece of what makes Clearwater so special,” Park said.
What Fuels Us
An eclectic business community has made a home in Clearwater, from Fortune 50 company TD Synnex to local startup KnowBe4, which has headquarters in Clearwater and has expanded to 11 countries around the world.
“We’ve been really proud to watch companies like KnowBe4, and some of other large companies in our backyard, who have just exploded,” Park said. “Attracting talent to work is so much easier here, with no income taxes, plus all the great quality of life factors.”
Health care is a major industry in Clearwater. Located in the downtown area is Morton Plant Hospital, a facility in the BayCare Health System that provides specialized care to more than 50,000 patients each year. It is ranked as the second-best hospital in Greater Tampa Bay by U.S. News & World Report and one of the nation’s top 100 hospitals by Watson Health. In addition, BayCare is headquartered in Clearwater. The nonprofit is one of the most widespread health care systems in GTB, with 15 hospitals, 18 urgent care centers, 13 outpatient centers and dozens more facilities locally.
“We’ve got so many wonderful things, from manufacturing to health care to the arts and culture. While they may not be the biggest driver, they’re certainly an important element of what makes us so attractive,” Payne said.
Top Industries
- Health care
- Technology
- Cybersecurity
- High-tech manufacturing
- Defense contracting
Notable Employers
- BayCare Health System — Clearwater
- BayCare is one of GTB’s largest employers, with approximately 30,000 employees in total. The nonprofit system has headquarters in Clearwater, 15 hospitals and hundreds of other facilities throughout the region.
- TD Synnex — Clearwater
- In late 2021, Clearwater-based Tech Data Corporation merged with Fremont, California-based Synnex, forming the company TD Synnex. It is now co-headquartered in both cities. TD Synnex is a global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem, serving customers in more than 100 countries.
- KnowB4 — Clearwater
- This company valued at over $1 billion helps more than 31,000 organizations defend against cyber threats. As of 2020, it is the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform. The company has a total of 1,000 global employees — 800 of whom work at the Clearwater headquarters.
- Geographic Solutions — Palm Harbor
- This innovative company develops software to improve workforce development organizations, with clients around the nation including Employ Florida, Virtual Career Center for Florida Memorial University, WorkInTexas, Virginia Workforce Connection and many others. Geographic Solutions’ technologies continue to improve the way job seekers and employers access career centers and services.
- Equitus — Clearwater
- Equitus is a technology company with a focus on the defense industry. It designs big data analytics appliances for government and commercial use. Equitus founder and CEO and U.S. Army Brigadier General, Robert Guidry, founded the company with a vision of developing a platform that supports big-data, business and intelligence activities.
Imagine Clearwater
The Imagine Clearwater project is transforming and expanding Coachman Park along the waterfront in downtown Clearwater, establishing it as a recreational destination near the gateway to Clearwater Beach. The $84 million, 24-acre project will capitalize on the beautiful waterfront space and draw more visitors to the downtown area. It will host special events like concerts, festivals and performances. The anticipated completion date is 2023.
“This is going to be the anchor that’s really going to hold and draw people downtown,” Park said. “Over the two-year timeline to 2023, we’re going to see that beautiful park come to life. You have that crown jewel right across the water from America’s best beach.”
Here are the details of what Imagine Clearwater will include:
- 4,000-seat covered amphitheater for concerts and performances
- An expansive park and recreational space
- Ocean-themed playground with a splash pad
- Lake area with picnic facilities and a boardwalk over the water
- Gateway plaza and walkway connecting park to downtown
- Bay walk promenade overlooking the waterfront
- Public art installations
For project updates and more details, visit myclearwater.com/residents/imagine-clearwater-new.
Room to Grow
As population steadily increases and more businesses move to the area, local leaders recognize the importance of planning with intention. In Clearwater and especially in communities north of the bay and off the peninsula, such as Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, there is plenty of room for smart growth.
In addition, there is ample existing office space to move into, such as at the One Clearwater Tower, Blencher Commons Office Park, Datex Business Center and a host of others.
“The available land that exists in Clearwater for development is mind blowing, whether it’s residential or commercial, and there is so much available Class A office suite space to bring in relocating businesses,” Park said.
In a time when many people can work from practically anywhere, no matter where the company is based, the entertainment and amenity-rich community of Clearwater becomes a very attractive option for remote workers as well.
By the Numbers
- 1 Fortune 500 company, TD Synnex
- 5+ co-work spaces
- The Ring
- 4 & Co Coworking Spaces
- One Clearwater Tower
- The Qworking
- The Hub, Tampa Bay
- Second Sol Studios
- OfficeWerks
- Signature Workspace Northwood
- 851-acre opportunity zone along waterfront in downtown Clearwater
- The Opportunity Zone Program is part of the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created in 2017. Investors in this opportunity zone can defer and/or reduce their federal capital gains tax liability, and these benefits increase over time.
Largest Target Industry Employers
All are located in Clearwater unless otherwise noted.
- Honeywell Aerospace
- MarineMax
- PODS Enterprises
- Macy’s Customer Services
- SCC Soft Computer
- GE Instrument Transformers
- Technology Research Corp.
- Mercury Group
- Newbold Advisors
- GE Aviation Systems
- Bausch & Lomb
- Nationwide Title Clearing (Palm Harbor)
- Lincare
- Insurance Admin. Solutions
- APG Electric
- Ameri-Life
- Eagle Home Mortgage
- M.C. Dean
- CCS Medical
— Pinellas County Economic Development
Interested in joining the North Pinellas business community or getting to know it better? Visit amplifyclearwater.com.
