Pinellas County, Fla., has found an entertaining way to help businesses in the community. The Economic Development Department (PCED), in conjunction with St. Petersburg Junior College, has launched a one-hour cable TV program called Good Business Pinellas, which presents information about the department's services.

The department produces the weekly program to promote opportunities, ideas and programs for the 33,000 businesses located in the county. "Though we are a tourism-based community, [Pinellas County] is a hotbed of business, manufacturing and information technology," says Ron Waselewski, business marketing manager of PCED.

The show spotlights Pinellas businesses, highlights job opportunities and focuses on some of the products made in the county. The premiere show featured a segment on a local company, Jeff Arthur Productions, which creates advertising jingles for national and local ads.

"We want to communicate in a good way," Waselewski says. "Our program is entertaining and easy to watch, not like your standard government access show."

Good Business has received positive feedback from the community, and companies are eager to participate, Waselewski says. The program airs regularly on the St. Petersburg Junior College channel, the Pinellas County government channel, and cable channels in St. Petersburg and Clearwater.