Tampa Bay region leads the nation in small business employment growth

The Tampa Bay metro area has the best small-business employment growth in the nation, according to the 2021 Small Business Employment Watch by Paychex.

St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corp. Executive Director J.P. DuBuque credits the City of St. Petersburg and his own organization for steering the ship in the right direction.

“I think that for small business, we are a great spot for that,” DuBuque said. “It is something that has been part of who we are, part of our DNA as a community.”

Local programs noted by DuBuque that have helped small businesses in the area include the Fighting Chance Fund and Entrepreneur in Residence program. “I do think it has given us a boost,” DuBuque said.

Another, DuBuque said, is a new incentive program for small businesses. There are state programs with incentives for larger businesses, but smaller businesses who do not yet show a profit often get left out. St. Petersburg’s new program rewards small businesses with a grant that makes it much easier for them to participate, he said.