The developers are asking the Seminole City Council to request that Pinellas County include businesses or organizations, such as Seminole City Center, locating or expanding in brownfield areas as a possible recipient of benefits under the proposed ad valorem tax exemption program. The Florida State Statutes (Section 196.1995) regulating such programs recognizes that Brownfield conversion is smart and benefits the public.

The Florida Statutes allow for such consideration but Pinellas County's proposed new ordinance excludes it.

Including businesses and organizations locating or expanding in a brownfield area does not guarantee that any project will qualify for incentives…it just allows consideration.