Applications Open for The City of St. Petersburg GROW Program and Ready. Set. Bid. Academy

Applications Open for The City of St. Petersburg GROW Program and Ready. Set. Bid. Academy

July 14, 2026 - The application period is now open for two educational programs designed to help businesses qualify and compete for opportunities within the city: the G.R.O.W. Program and the Ready. Set. Bid. Academy. Businesses interested in the G.R.O.W. Program must apply by Monday, July 27. Seats are limited to the first 15 businesses qualified. Those interested in the Ready. Set. Bid. Academy must apply by Tuesday, July 28.

G.R.O.W. Program

Developed in partnership with the Office of Supplier Development and The Greenhouse, G.R.O.W gives small businesses the knowledge and tools they need to understand City resources and navigate the certification process.

The G.R.O.W. Program is a nine-week technical assistance course beginning September 10. Participants will receive instruction on how to get certified through the City's Office of Supplier Development and various business enterprise programs. Participants will get hands-on guidance in:

• Navigating the certification process

• Leveraging business enterprise certifications

• Building capacity in financial management, staffing, networking, and access to capital

Graduates may also qualify for funding opportunities through a local credit union partner, giving their business an added boost toward long-term growth and sustainability.

Ready. Set. Bid. Academy

Developed by the Office of Supplier Development, the Ready. Set. Bid. Academy is an initiative designed to help local businesses strengthen their ability to compete for government contracting opportunities. This nine-week training program begins August 21 and is for small businesses ready to compete for government contracts in construction, professional services, and goods & services.

The program equips businesses with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to successfully pursue public-sector contracts. Through hands-on training, participants will:

• Learn how to submit competitive proposals

• Understand the City's procurement process

• Build networks and scale their operations for future contracts

Interested businesses can learn more and apply at www.stpete.org/ReadySetBid or www.stpete.org/GROW