The Swaney Group Opens HQ in St. Petersburg, Florida: A New Chapter of Growth and Opportunity

Industrials-focused private investment firm The Swaney Group announced the opening of its headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida in 2024. As the Swaney Group evolved from a startup mindset, CEO & founder Paul Swaney decided to open the company’s headquarters in St. Pete because of its “unbeatable combination of business-friendliness, access to top talent, and overall quality of life.”

St. Pete: Business-Friendly, Top Talent, and Exceptional Quality of Life

Swaney discovered the Tampa Bay region through an investment made by his previous firm in a company based here and “the energy, ambition, and culture of the area caught [his] attention immediately.”

After evaluating other locations, including downtown Tampa, the company chose St. Pete because it “aligns perfectly with [the company’s] goals.”  Swaney said, “St. Pete offers a thriving business ecosystem, skilled workforce, and supportive local government. The quality of life here is exceptional, making it a great spot for both current employees and future recruits.”

Strong Manufacturing Presence

For a recent client, The Swaney Group focused investment on operational efficiencies and market expansion for a mid-sized manufacturer that resulted in a 50% increase in production capacity and a 40% reduction in operational costs. The firm’s expertise in the manufacturing sector dovetails with the region’s robust manufacturing base. Pinellas County ranks third in Florida for its manufacturing base and second in the number of manufacturing establishments. St. Pete advanced manufacturers range from Jabil’s manufacturing facility in the Gateway District, which specializes in high-mix, low- to medium-volume product solutions for the aerospace and defense industries to Haddy’s AI-powered robotic microfactory manufacturing sustainable furniture and other items for the built environment in Downtown St. Pete.

St. Pete Headquarters

The Swaney Group is located in the Morgan Stanley Tower at 150 2nd Ave N in Downtown St. Pete. The new office will serve as the firm’s Southeast hub. Investing, headquarters, and strategic management operations will be housed there, allowing the firm to expand its footprint throughout the region. The Swaney Group currently has eight employees in St. Pete and 12 across the firm, all highly trained professionals with backgrounds in either military or investing sectors.

Looking ahead, the firm anticipates adding 10-15 professionals to the St. Pete team in the coming years, alongside hundreds of employees to its portfolio assets if its Florida investment strategies perform as expected. The company’s location is predicted to be a draw, with Swaney saying “The local talent pool is exceptional, and Tampa Bay’s broader reach is a strategic advantage. When employees relocate here, they’re genuinely excited about the move—Florida sells itself.”

Mack Feldman of Feldman Equities introduced The Swaney Group to the St. Pete EDC while the company was considering expanding here. Swaney praised the EDC for “ensuring a smooth and seamless transition into St. Pete and helping us integrate efficiently into the local community.”

About The Swaney Group

The Swaney Group is an industrials-focused private investment firm, targeting lower middle-market investments in the U.S. Their goal is to bring operational excellence to businesses, helping Florida become a more competitive manufacturing hub as industries reshore. Swaney notes the firm welcomes introductions to local businesses, prospective clients, and community leaders, as well as continued assistance in workforce development, saying, “We’re committed to being a part of St. Pete’s growth and success in the years ahead.”

For more, visit https://swaneygroup.com/.