AGORA Edge Expands in Pinellas County, Florida
Pinellas County Commission Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for AGORA Edge’s Employment Sites Program-Supported Expansion in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL, November 19, 2024 – Today, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners celebrated the ribbon-cutting for AGORA Edge’s new facility in St. Petersburg, Florida. AGORA Edge, a leader in soft goods design and manufacturing, serves diverse industry needs, including medical supplies, safety equipment, and mobile computing. Established in 1985, AGORA Edge employs over 350 workers and counts several Fortune 500 companies among its clients. With rising demand, the company outgrew its existing space and used Pinellas County’s Employment Sites Program (ESP) to fund an expansion, adding nearly 48,000 square feet and 50 new jobs. The expansion also includes infrastructure for an additional 32,000 square feet, potentially adding 70-100 more jobs in the future.
The Chair of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, Kathleen Peters, stated, “At the heart of AGORA Edge’s expansion lies the Employment Sites Program, a visionary initiative funded by the Penny for Pinellas. This program was designed to support the construction and redevelopment of modern industrial and office buildings to help businesses expand and grow their operations and strengthen Pinellas County as a major manufacturing and industry hub. This program underscores the commitment of the Pinellas County Commission to ensuring that Pinellas remains a competitive and ideal business climate. AGORA Edge’s success story is a testament to the power of strategic investment and the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors.”
The ribbon cutting was attended by Commissioner Kathleen Peters, Chair of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners; Barry Burton, Pinellas County Administrator; Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Pinellas County Economic Development Director; City of St. Petersburg staff; AGORA Edge President, Subash Dave’; and the company’s staff and leadership team.
“This new facility marks a significant milestone in AGORA Edge’s growth and commitment to excellence in soft goods solutions. AGORA has a reputation for being on the cutting edge by investing in the finest technology and this expansion has enabled our company to increase production capabilities and enhance our manufacturing and fulfillment processes. Thanks to Pinellas County’s Employment Sites Program, our vision for expansion came to fruition and this new facility underscores our dedication to investing in our community and workforce,” said Mr. Dave’.
Dr. Cynthia Johnson explained, “We are delighted that the Employment Sites Program has effectively fostered industry growth and expansion throughout Pinellas County, and we are excited to see AGORA’s expansion as part of this success. Since its inception in 2021, the program has approved $36.8 million in funding for 26 projects, resulting in nearly 1.6 million square feet of new office and industrial space and over $251 million in private-sector investment. This continued investment strengthens our community and ensures a vibrant economic future for Pinellas County.”
For more information about Pinellas County’s Ideal Business Climate, visit www.pced.org.
A media package of the event is available for download via Dropbox.
About Pinellas County Economic Development
Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) works with existing businesses to encourage expansion and seeks to attract new companies with high-wage careers to our community. Through investment tools, business classes, professional consulting services, trade missions to open new markets, and strategic partnerships, PCED fosters a pro-business environment and promotes the ideal business climate of Pinellas County, Florida. Learn more at www.pced.org.
