SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Business Spotlight Program 2025 that will provide exposure to businesses within the Downtown Clearwater and North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Areas and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recommends approving Business Spotlight Program 2025 to support its continued goals of attracting residents, visitors, businesses, and employees to Downtown Clearwater and North Greenwood. Over the past year, CRA staff has worked in partnership with business owners and community stakeholders to shape a program that strengthens local connections and recognizes economic and cultural contributions throughout both redevelopment areas.
The purpose of the CRA Business Spotlight Program 2025 is to recognize and promote outstanding local businesses that drive economic vitality, reflect community values, and enhance neighborhood pride. Through targeted marketing campaigns, public outreach, and formal recognition, the program will offer meaningful exposure to both longstanding and emerging businesses in the community.
This expanded version of the program directly supports the goals of both the 2018 Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan and the 2023 North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area Plan, specifically:
2018 Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan
• People Goals: Downtown shall be a place that attracts residents, visitors, businesses, and their employees and enables the development of community. The City shall encourage a vibrant and active public realm, recreation and entertainment opportunities, and support neighborhoods.
• Objective 1D: Encourage a variety of office-intensive businesses to relocate and expand in Downtown to provide a stable employment center.
2023 North Greenwood CRA Plan
• Goal 5: Quality of Life: Sustain a high quality of life through community engagement, access to recreational opportunities, celebrating the unique culture of North Greenwood, improving public health, and protecting the environment.
The program will select nine businesses in total, comprised of Legacy Recipients and Spotlight Winners. Legacy Recipients must have been in continuous operation for at least 10 years within the CRA redevelopment boundary areas and meet all standard eligibility criteria.
Following program approval by the CRA Trustees, the application window will remain open for four weeks. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of CRA staff, City of Clearwater representatives, and community stakeholders. Once selections are finalized, participating businesses will be publicly recognized and engaged through coordinated promotional campaigns and events.
The proposed program meets the goals of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area Plan and provides a partnership opportunity for business owners who wish to establish a sense of community in our redevelopment area.
Funding for this program, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, will be used for printing flyers and other marketing to help administer this program as authorized by Florida Statute 163.387(6)(c)1.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for this program, available in the operating budget, will be coded to either the Downtown Clearwater or North Greenwood CRA based on the recipient’s geographic location in amount not to exceed $5,000.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.2 Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local investment, supports Eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality growth.
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging.
3.3 Promote marketing and outreach strategies that encourage stakeholder engagement, enhancement community education, and build public trust.
