Latest reporting from the Business desk.
Business
Clearwater-headquartered hellocare.ai will deploy AI-assisted virtual care technology across St. Luke's Health System hospitals in southern Idaho, adding to the company's base of more than 100 U.S. health systems.
Business
Pitmaster Ray "Dr. BBQ" Lampe plans to open Squiki Tiki, a tiki-themed barbecue restaurant, at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach in December, featuring smoked meats, tiki cocktails and tropical decor.
Business
Cornerstone Companies, an Indianapolis healthcare real estate firm, paid $14 million for five Drew Street parcels including Florida Spine Institute's campus, while a Trulieve-leased property on US 19 near Countryside Mall listed for $3.8 million.
Business
A former Clearwater Taco Bell employee faces a third-degree felony charge after the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said he processed nearly $9,700 in fake customer refunds to his personal debit card over five months at the Ulmerton Road location.
Business
Clearwater's unanimous vote to renew its Duke Energy franchise for 30 years stands in contrast to neighboring St. Petersburg, where grassroots groups are pushing a 2028 ballot measure to create a city-owned electric utility.
Business
About 50 workers poured 430 cubic yards of concrete Thursday, Sept. 17, for the first elevated section of The Bluffs, a 28-story, 400-unit apartment tower rising on the former Clearwater City Hall site overlooking Coachman Park.
Business
Labor Day weekend brought spring-break-level crowds to Clearwater Beach businesses, but lifeguard stations at Sand Key Park and Fort De Soto Park are now unstaffed for the rest of the season.
Business
A proposed five-year deal between Pinellas County and Allegiant Air would generate an estimated $22.8 million for St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Clearwater, a 60.6% increase over the prior agreement, and includes a $500,000 annual fund to attract new routes.
Business
Lolita's Coastal Cocina, a waterfront Mexican restaurant, has opened at the Opal Sol resort on Clearwater Beach alongside two other new dining concepts, bringing the twin-resort complex to 10 dining options.
Business
Morgan Stanley Investment Management paid $31.1 million for The Preserve at Dunedin, a 106-unit assisted living and memory care community at 2010 Greenbriar Blvd. in Clearwater, as part of a $91.1 million two-property Florida portfolio deal.
Business
Salt & Sky, a rebranded rooftop bar with Gulf views and a new 947-square-foot event space, has opened at the AC Hotel Clearwater Beach
Business
Former White House guest chef Will Artley, a "Chopped" competitor and Culinary Institute of America graduate, has joined the Clearwater Beach Sheraton Resort on Sand Key as executive chef, overseeing four dining venues including the beachfront Rusty's Bistro.
Business
Clearwater City Council unanimously approved a development agreement for a nine-story, 144-room hotel at 10 and 18 Bay Esplanade, demolishing the Palm Pavilion Inn's 30 overnight units while preserving the original 1926 restaurant now operating as Crabby's Beachside.
Business
Visit Florida data shows statewide tourism fell 1.4% in the first half of 2026, with Canadian visitors down 13.9% year-to-date amid tariff tensions — a concern for Clearwater Beach as the area's top international market heads into off-season.
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