On Tuesday, Pinellas County commissioners will review proposals from four local businesses to determine if county sales tax dollars can support their expansion plans.

The Employment Sites Program, funded by the voter-approved Penny for Pinellas one-cent sales tax renewed in 2017, historically allocates funds for capital improvements like roads, stormwater upgrades, and public safety equipment. During the latest renewal, the county added the Employment Sites Program, dedicating approximately 4.15% of Penny for Pinellas funds to economic development projects.

To access these funds, county commissioners must approve the expansion plans from local businesses. The proposals up for consideration include the Bardmoor Palms Redevelopment, Monin HQ expansion, Pharmetric Laboratory expansion, and the Yo Mama’s Foods headquarters expansion.

Founded by Clearwater resident David Habib in 2017, Yo Mama’s Foods initially operated out of his parents’ house before moving to its current Clearwater headquarters on Eldridge Street in 2019. Over five years, Habib has grown the company to 26 employees, selling products in 25,000 stores across 17 countries. To expand online and retail fulfillment, Habib seeks $400,000 from the Employment Sites Program to lease and retrofit a nearby building, adding stormwater and fire suppression systems to meet code requirements. With this expansion, he hopes to increase his workforce by 50%.

Habib remarked, “Partnering with local businesses to help them stay and grow here is wonderful. We aim to be a staple in the North Greenwood area, creating jobs and continuing our growth.”

The county estimates that over the 10-year duration of the current Penny for Pinellas referendum, approximately $93 million will support economic development projects through this program.

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