Forward Pinellas

What Forward Pinellas does

Forward Pinellas is the unified countywide land use and transportation planning agency for Pinellas County, Florida, operating as both the Pinellas Planning Council and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The agency was established under a special act of the Florida State Legislature (Chapter 2012-245, Laws of Florida) and operates pursuant to Federal Law (23 USC 134 and 135). It coordinates countywide planning among 25 local governments (24 municipalities plus unincorporated Pinellas County) serving approximately 980,000 residents, and is led by Executive Director Whit Blanton with a team of approximately 19 staff across planning, administrative, communications, and technical roles.

The agency's product portfolio is anchored by three flagship documents: the Countywide Plan (land use framework directing higher-density redevelopment into activity centers and multimodal corridors), Advantage Pinellas (the Long Range Transportation Plan), and Safe Streets Pinellas (a Vision Zero initiative). Operational programs include the annual Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) which programs the use of state and federal transportation funding; competitive grant programs (Local Agency Grants, Complete Streets, Planning & Placemaking); and analytical tools such as the Financial Feasibility Analysis Toolkit, Land Value Quotient (LVQ) Analysis, and Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool. The underlying technology stack is built on ESRI ArcGIS for parcel-level countywide mapping (Countywide Plan Map, Interactive Trails Map), with quantitative economic analysis for evaluating transportation investments and land use regulations. Backed by a 19-member board of elected officials, Forward Pinellas also operates an active public engagement model via board meetings, advisory committees, public hearings, the Bike Your City annual event, a multi-platform social media presence, and the Knowledge Exchange Series educational forum.

Forward Pinellas is a publicly funded government agency rather than a commercial enterprise, with no revenue derived from fees or commercial sales. Its operating budget is funded through federal planning allocations (FHWA PL funds and FTA Section 5303), Florida Department of Transportation pass-through funding, contributions from Pinellas County and member municipalities, and competitive grants for specific programs such as Safe Streets Pinellas. The organization does not publicly disclose its operating budget; while it programs the $2.2 billion TIP 2027-2031 across 70 projects, that capital is pass-through funding for FDOT, county, and municipal projects rather than agency revenue. Forward Pinellas partners with PSTA (transit), FDOT (state coordination), FHWA and FTA (federal oversight), the Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance (regional), the University of South Florida Center for Urban Transportation Research (research), and local community organizations such as the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and Creative Pinellas.

Name

Forward Pinellas

Legal name

Forward Pinellas

Website

https://forwardpinellas.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forward Pinellas is the statutorily-designated countywide land use and transportation planning agency for Pinellas County, Florida, serving as both the Pinellas Planning Council and the Metropolitan Planning Organization for 25 local governments and approximately 980,000 residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Transportation and Land Use Planning Services

NAICS

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Non-Operating Establishments (9995), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Urban & Regional Planning (Land Use, Zoning, Master Planning) (BPAIANAD), Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF)

Keywords

• Transportation planning
• Land use planning
• Metropolitan planning
• Regional coordination
• Government planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Clearwater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: Forward Pinellas operates as a government agency funded through federal and state transportation planning funds, local government contributions, and competitive grants for specific programs like Safe Streets Pinellas. The organization adopts an annual Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to ensure eligibility for state and federal funding for transportation projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Forward Pinellas serves as both the Pinellas Planning Council and the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Pinellas County, providing countywide land use planning, long-range transportation planning, transportation improvement programming, grant administration, technical assistance to municipalities, and Vision Zero safety initiatives. It coordinates planning across 25 local governments and delivers analytical tools, interactive maps, and educational programming to support regional planning decisions.

Product overview

Forward Pinellas is a land use and transportation planning agency serving as both the Pinellas Planning Council and Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected plans, programs, and tools rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include the Countywide Plan (land use planning framework), Advantage Pinellas Long Range Transportation Plan, Active Transportation Plan, and Safe Streets Pinellas (Vision Zero initiative). Supporting programs include the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Transportation Disadvantaged Program, Complete Streets Program, Local Agency Grants Program, and Planning & Placemaking Grant Program. The agency also provides interactive mapping tools (Countywide Plan Map, Interactive Trails Map), the Knowledge Exchange Series educational platform, Technical Assistance Services, and analytical tools including Financial Feasibility Analysis, Land Value Quotient Analysis, and Benefit-Cost Analysis. Document resources are accessible through a comprehensive Document Portal. Forward Pinellas operates primarily as a government planning organization rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Safe Streets Pinellas: A collaborative Vision Zero effort to create a transportation system that is safe for everyone with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Pinellas County.
• Advantage Pinellas
• Countywide Plan

Products and services

• Countywide Plan
• Advantage Pinellas: Long Range Transportation Plan
• Advantage Pinellas: Active Transportation Plan
• Safe Streets Pinellas
• Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
• Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program
• Complete Streets Program
• Local Agency Grants Program
• Planning & Placemaking Grant Program
• Technical Assistance Services
• Gateway Master Plan
• Congestion Management Process
• Trail Count Program
• Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)
• Economic and Quantitative Analysis Tools

Quantifiable outcome

• 70 transportation projects funded through TIP 2027-2031 totaling approximately $2.2 billion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSTA is the primary transit provider in Pinellas County. Forward Pinellas coordinates with PSTA on transit planning, transportation improvement programs, and the Transportation Disadvantaged Program. PSTA serves as the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for Pinellas County's Transportation Disadvantaged services.
• Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDOT is the state agency responsible for statewide transportation planning. Forward Pinellas coordinates with FDOT on the five-year Transportation Improvement Program, corridor studies, and ensures county projects align with state transportation priorities and funding requirements.
• Pinellas County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPinellas County is the primary local government partner. Forward Pinellas provides policy advice to the Board of County Commissioners in its role as the Countywide Planning Authority, and coordinates on countywide planning issues, transportation projects, and regional initiatives.
• Municipal Governments of Pinellas CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForward Pinellas provides technical support, regional coordination, and policy guidance to 24 cities and towns across Pinellas County. Local governments submit land use amendments for countywide review and participate in advisory committees.
• Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance (SCTPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForward Pinellas is a member of the SCTPA (formerly West Central Florida MPO Chairs Coordinating Committee), which represents millions of residents from Brooksville to Sarasota. The alliance creates a unified regional voice for transportation planning and funding priorities.
• Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional planning council supporting coordination on issues affecting the Tampa Bay region including Pinellas County.
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFHWA provides federal oversight and guidance for metropolitan planning organizations. Forward Pinellas operates in accordance with Federal Law (23 USC 134 and 135) as the MPO for Pinellas County.
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFTA provides federal funding and guidance for transit planning. Forward Pinellas coordinates with FTA on transit-related planning studies and funding programs including Transit-Oriented Development initiatives.
• Foundation for a Healthy St. PetersburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization working on health and wellness initiatives in St. Petersburg that intersect with transportation planning and community development.
• Creative PinellasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting arts and cultural initiatives that align with placemaking and community development goals in Forward Pinellas planning efforts.
• Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner at University of South Florida providing technical expertise and research support for transportation planning initiatives in Pinellas County.
• Hillsborough Transportation Planning OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner MPO in neighboring Hillsborough County for coordinated transportation planning across the Tampa Bay region.
• Pasco Metropolitan Planning OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner MPO in neighboring Pasco County for coordinated transportation planning across the Tampa Bay region.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR): University-based transportation research center at University of South Florida providing technical expertise and research support to Forward Pinellas and other Florida MPOs. Comparable as a regional transportation planning knowledge partner rather than direct competitor.
• Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance (SCTPA): Regional MPO alliance representing millions of residents from Brooksville to Sarasota, of which Forward Pinellas is a member. Comparable as a regional coordination body but at a multi-county scale rather than single-county focus.
• Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA): Primary transit provider in Pinellas County that Forward Pinellas coordinates with on transit planning and transportation improvement programs. Operates in an adjacent transportation role with overlapping but distinct mandate (operations vs. planning).

Broad incumbents

• Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT): State agency responsible for statewide transportation planning that provides funding and oversight to Forward Pinellas as a core partner. Functions as a higher-level incumbent in the same planning space, with broader statewide scope.

Direct peers

• Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council: Regional planning council supporting coordination on issues affecting the Tampa Bay region including Pinellas County. Comparable public-sector planning body with overlapping regional scope but a wider geographic mandate beyond transportation.
• Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization: Regional partner MPO in Pasco County serving the northern Tampa Bay region. Comparable in function and statutory structure as an MPO coordinating transportation planning with multiple municipalities, though smaller in population and project scale.
• MetroPlan Orlando: Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Orlando metropolitan area, performing comparable countywide transportation planning and programming functions for a larger multi-county region. Direct functional peer despite operating in a different Florida region.
• Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization: MPO for Broward County, Florida, performing integrated land use and transportation planning functions under a unified governance structure similar to Forward Pinellas. Comparable in jurisdictional scale and planning mandate.
• Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization: Neighboring MPO in Hillsborough County, Florida, performing the same metropolitan transportation planning function for the Tampa side of the region. Direct peer in scale, statutory role, and federal funding eligibility as Forward Pinellas.

Others

• American Planning Association (APA): National professional association for planners and planning organizations providing standards, advocacy, and resources relevant to Forward Pinellas' work. Comparable as an ecosystem participant in the urban planning profession rather than a direct operational peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/forwardpinellas
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCB2TqDpWGcIYnKbDt5WKUNg
• Facebookfacebook.com/fwdpinellas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forward-pinellas
• Instagraminstagram.com/forwardpinellas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forward Pinellas