Interview with: Robert Hursh
Florida's economy is diverse and constantly evolving. In Pinellas County, tourism, tech and health care all play significant roles, as local businesses navigate rapid changes while working to stay resilient and competitive.
We sat down with Robert Hursh, Seacoast Bank’s Executive Vice President and Market President for Pinellas County, to discuss how the bank supports businesses through disruptions, what economic trends are shaping the region and how local expertise helps clients plan for the future.
Q: What are the major economic trends currently shaping the Pinellas County business landscape?
Here in Pinellas County, we’re seeing several key economic trends in 2025. At the forefront are tourism and hospitality. After being battered by two hurricanes in late 2024, the tourism sector is beginning to recover. Occupancy rates and revenue per room are improving, although they haven't returned to pre-storm levels yet.
We've also seen significant growth in cybersecurity. ARK Invest relocated its headquarters to downtown St. Pete from the Northeast. That move sparked a wave of cybertech companies, fueling job growth in the IT sector.
The real estate market has experienced a modest increase, and we continue to invest in health care and education infrastructure. With institutions like the University of South Florida in the region, those sectors are expected to drive long-term growth, especially as we see an aging population in need of more specialized services. Seacoast has been a part of this community for nearly 100 years, and our role is to help business owners navigate these trends with strategies that support sustainable growth.
Q: How can businesses prepare for economic uncertainties or downturns?
Preparation starts with communication. We encourage business owners to communicate with us early and often. That’s the foundation of any strong relationship.
To weather downturns, companies should focus on building and maintaining cash reserves to cover operating expenses and manage supply chain disruptions. Diversifying revenue streams can also provide more stability. Improving cost control and efficiency, investing in technology and strengthening customer relationships are essential for managing any economic uncertainty.
At Seacoast, we also support businesses on the individual planning level. For example, we help connect clients with the Pinellas Resilient Action Plan, which supports sustainability and recovery before and after events like hurricanes.
Q: What industries in the Pinellas County area are seeing the most growth and how is Seacoast Bank supporting them?
Technology is leading the way, followed by advanced manufacturing, aviation, aerospace and life sciences — particularly medical tech, which is growing thanks to the local academic and research infrastructure. We're also seeing steady growth in business and financial services.
Seacoast supports these industries by offering tailored financial products and advisory solutions. Webring local expertise and engage with trade organizations, nonprofits and community events. A big part of our role is facilitating strategic introductions that can lead to new vendor or client relationships.
Q: Can you discuss the importance of flexible financial solutions in times of economic change?
Change is constant, and businesses need agile and adaptive solutions when it happens. Whether dealing with interest rate hikes, inflation or global instability, it's crucial to have financial tools that evolve with the market.
At Seacoast, we act as part of our clients' extended team, a de facto board of directors that also includes their CPA, attorney and insurance agent. That collaboration helps us deliver financial strategies that make sense at the moment and set them up for future success. With economic shifts come new opportunities. By maintaining financial flexibility, businesses can navigate challenges and position themselves for growth.
It’s important to have a diverse team offering real, honest perspectives. That leads to better decision-making and stronger outcomes that support long-term sustainability.
Q: How does Seacoast Bank’s local expertise help clients stay ahead of market trends?
We live and work in the communities we serve, which gives us a strong understanding of regional dynamics. We also bring clients together at community events to create opportunities for networking and collaboration. Our team’s active involvement in local boards, nonprofits and community organizations gives us unique, relevant insights to advise clients with solutions tailored to local business needs.
We tailor financial solutions based on a deep understanding of our clients' operations. That includes analyzing cash flow cycles and helping businesses improve them. By supporting local industries and associations, we help clients stay informed and agile in a changing market. That level of involvement and personalization is what sets Seacoast apart.
Q: What conversations should business owners be having with their banker right now to stay prepared?
Business owners should ensure that their banker understands their business beyond the numbers. We want to know where they've been, where they are and where they’re going. That means walking the floor, meeting the team and asking the right questions.
Cash flow management is key. Business owners should ask whether they need a line of credit, what type of reserves are appropriate and what financing options are available. Risk mitigation, investment strategy and legacy planning should also be part of the conversation.
Financing options and long-term investment strategies also matter. Seacoast’s wealth team helps business owners think about legacy planning, not just operations. We also share market trends and best practices so business owners can make informed decisions. At Seacoast, we also emphasize business continuity planning. If something unexpected happens, we want to ensure that our clients have a plan for operations as well as their team members and families.
Q: Can you share a recent example of a local business Seacoast helped adapt to change or capitalize on new opportunities?
We offer term loans, lines of credit and flexible assessment-backed financing, which allows associations to fund large-scale repairs and repay them over time using future assessment income. We aim to align repayment structures with the HOA’s financial strategy and the residents’ ability to manage costs. We customize our solution based on each community’s needs, board authority and legal parameters.
We recently worked with a medical device company that came to us through a referral. They were looking to acquire another company. During our initial conversations, we uncovered opportunities beyond their acquisition goals.
We helped refinance their existing debt to improve cash flow, then structured both an SBA and a traditional loan to support the acquisition. We also transitioned their accounts to Seacoast and implemented integrated payables, which boosted efficiency within their accounting department.
In addition to the business side, we helped the owner with personal legacy planning through our Wealth Group. It was a true success story. The business is growing, and we expect to support them through future acquisitions. That kind of partnership is what we aim for — it’s not just about one transaction, but about long-term support and growth.
In today's fast-moving economy, businesses need more than just access to capital. They need a banking partner that understands their community, shares their vision and can respond quickly to change. That's exactly what Seacoast Bank offers. For companies in Pinellas County and across Florida, our local expertise and personalized service are helping businesses build resilience and achieve sustainable growth.
Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC. NMLS# 608046
Share: