Economic Development and Housing

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Greater Clearwater Corporate Report
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One of the best decisions you'll ever make!

When you decide to do business or reside in Clearwater, you can rely on our Economic Development and Housing experts to help smooth the way.

Our mission is to improve and expand the economic base of the community through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses and real estate investments, and by implementing value-added strategies and programs that enhance the community's overall high quality of life and local and national image. Further, our mission is to provide quality affordable housing and community services to the citizens of Clearwater.

Description of Services

The Economic Development and Housing Department consists of 14 employees and is divided into two divisions: the Economic Development Division, and the Housing Division.

Economic Development

The Economic Development Division interrelates its activities with all other city departments and a wide spectrum of public and private organizations. Operationally, the division's staff collectively administers all programs that impact the economic development of vulnerable parts of the City, including the activities and incentives for the Community Redevelopment Agency, the Downtown Development Board, the Brownfields, Enterprise Zone and HUBZone programs. The division also manages the City's tourism and economic development relationships with the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Tampa Bay Partnership.

In addition, the division assumes responsibility for assisting the existing business community to stabilize their operations, and to retain and expand their employment base, through education on available enhancement programs and growth incentives, assistance with physical building improvements, attraction of new tenants, and providing access to available public and private financing programs. A key division responsibility, in concert with the review and code enforcement responsibilities of other departments, is the development coordination of new real estate projects being proposed and constructed within the community. In turn, the division is responsible for enhancing the "livability" and "image" of the community by strategizing real estate investment opportunities within the central business district, the beach area and community at large.

Housing

The mission of the Housing Division is to provide quality affordable housing, community and economic development services to the citizens of Clearwater. These goals are achieved through the administration of two federal grants, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Grant (HOME), and one state grant, State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program Grants, totaling approximately $3 million. Using these grant funds, the division funds a wide variety of housing, social service and economic development programs.

Approximately $1 million of the total grant funds are redistributed to community organizations that directly provide social services to the community. Examples of these community organizations include Partners in Self-Sufficiency, the Community Service Foundation, Pinellas Habitat for Humanity, Pinellas Opportunity Council, Community Pride Child Care, and Family Resources. The division annually solicits, reviews and recommends to the City Council for their final approval the selection and funding level of the grantee organizations. Contract management and grant supervision is provided by the Division throughout the year to ensure effective use of the grant funds.