RESOURCES - A List for Florida Small Businesses, with Links

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE, COUNSELING, WORKSHOPS

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
(850) 245-7105
www.floridajobs.org/business-growth-and-partnerships

Florida Small Business Development Center Network
(866) 737-7232 or (850) 473-7800
www.floridasbdc.org

U.S. Small Business Administration
(800) 827-5722
www.sba.gov

SCORE
Chapters Statewide
www.score.org

National Entrepreneur Center
(407) 420-4848
www.nationalec.com

Florida Women’s Business Center
(561) 265-3790
www.flwbc.org

Black Business Investment Corporations

Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF)
www.hbifflorida.org

Small Business Resource Network
www.sbrn.org

LEGAL STRUCTURE

Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations
www.sunbiz.org

U.S. Internal Revenue Service Publications
(800) 829-3676
www.irs.gov/publications/index.html

FORMS, PERMITS & LICENSES

Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations
(850) 245-6058
www.sunbiz.org

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Licensing
(850) 487-1395
www.myfloridalicense.com

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Licensing
(800) 435-7352 (Florida only)
(850) 410-3800
www.freshfromflorida.com

Florida New Hire Reporting Center
(888) 854-4791 or (850) 656-3343
www.fl-newhire.com

Florida Department of Revenue
(800) 352-3671
www.myflorida.com/dor

U.S. Internal Revenue Service
(800) 829-4933
www.irs.gov/businesses/small

U.S. Small Business Administration
(800) 827-5722
www.sba.gov

PATENTS, TRADEMARKS & COPYRIGHTS

U.S. Copyright Office
(202) 707-5959 or (877) 476-0778
www.copyright.gov

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
(800) 786-9199 or (571) 271-1000
www.uspto.gov

FINANCING

SBA Participating Lenders

The U.S. Small Business Administration does not make loans directly to small business owners; however, many local lenders can assist with the application process for an SBA-backed loan. For information, contact one of the SBA district offices in Florida.

Certified Development Companies
These nonprofit corporations work with the SBA and private-sector lenders to provide financing to small businesses.

Industrial Revenue Bonds

Industrial Revenue Bonds, issued by the Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC), offer tax-exempt, low-interest bond financing to qualified, financially sound manufacturing and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Enterprise Florida Inc.
(407) 956-5607
www.eflorida.com

TAXES

FEDERAL

U.S. Internal Revenue Service
(800) 829-4933
www.irs.gov/businesses/small

Tax Forms and Publications
(800) 829-3676
www.irs.gov/publications

• Circular E, Employer’s Tax Guide (Publication 15)
• Starting a Business and Keeping Records (Publication 583)
• Small Business Federal Tax Responsibilities (Publication 4591)

STATE

Florida Department of Revenue
(800) 352-3671
www.myflorida.com/dor

EXPORTING ASSISTANCE

Enterprise Florida Inc.
International Trade & Business Development
www.eflorida.com

Field Offices:

• Orlando (407) 956-5634
• Pensacola (850) 469-8989
• Tallahassee (850) 298-6632
• Tampa (407) 956-5634
• West Palm Beach (561) 832-8339

SBDC Office of International Programs
(850) 473-7800 or (866) 737-7232
www.floridasbdc.org/specialprograms/international

SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT

MyFloridaMarketPlace.com
(866) 352-3776
www.dms.myflorida.com/myfloridamarketplace

SBDC Procurement Technical Assistance Center Program (PTAC)
(850) 473-7806
www.fptac.org

Office of Supplier Diversity
www.osd.dms.state.fl.us
(850) 487-0915

Central North Florida Minority Supplier Development Council
(407) 404-6700
www.fmsdc.org

INSURANCE

Florida Department of Financial Services
Insurance Publications
www.myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/understandingcoverage
Click on links to “insurance library” and “consumer guides” for answers to specific insurance questions and access to:

SBDC Business Continuity and Risk Management (BCRM)Program
(850) 473-7820
www.floridasbdc.org/specialprograms/bcrm

National Flood Insurance Program
Region IV Contact:
(770) 220-5200
www.fema.gov/business/nfip

Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
(888) 685-1555
www.citizensfla.com

Florida Market Assistance Plan (FMAP)
(800) 524-9023
www.fmap.org

Florida Department of Financial Services, Workers’ Compensation
(850) 413-1609
www.myfloridacfo.com/wc

Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association Inc.
(941) 378-7400
www.fwcjua.com

Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
(888) 419-3456
www.floridahealthfinder.gov

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAWS

Florida New Hire Reporting Center
(888) 854-4791 or (850) 656-3343
www.fl-newhire.com

Florida Department of Financial Services, Workers’ Compensation
(850) 413-1609
www.myfloridacfo.com/wc

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
(850) 245-7105
www.floridajobs.org/business-growth-and-partnerships

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Child Labor Program
(850) 487-1395
www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/reg/childlabor

U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
(866) 487-9243
www.dol.gov/whd

Local Offices:

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
www.eeoc.gov

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(800) 321-6742
www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness

Area Offices:

USF SafetyFlorida
Florida’s official OSHA safety and health consultation program dedicated to serving small businesses; consultants statewide.
(866) 273-1105
www.usfsafetyflorida.com

U.S. Department of Justice, Americans with Disabilities Act
(800) 514-0301
www.ada.gov

State Resources

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA
www.eflorida.com
(877) YES-FLORIDA

Enterprise Florida Inc. (EFI) is the public-private partnership representing the state’s government and business leaders that serves as Florida’s lead economic development organization. EFI’s mission is to facilitate job growth for Florida’s businesses and citizens leading to a vibrant statewide economy. To that end, EFI works collaboratively with a statewide network of regional and local economic development organizations to improve what is widely recognized as one of the nation’s best business climates and to create a more promising future for small business owners, entrepreneurs and their employees.

EFI, and particularly its Minority and Small Business, Entrepreneurship & Capital (MaSBEC) division, is committed to providing the tools and support to help these businesses have long-term growth and success in the Sunshine State. Some of the services EFI provides for small businesses include:

 

WORKFORCE FLORIDA
www.WorkforceFlorida.com • www.EmployFlorida.com
(850) 921-1119 • (866) FLA-2345

Workforce Florida Inc. is the statewide board of business and government leaders charged with setting policy for Florida’s workforce system, which includes the Department of Economic Opportunity, 24 Regional Workforce Boards and nearly 100 One-Stop Career Centers.

Workforce Florida works strategically with business, workforce, education and economic development partners to identify and address the state’s most pressing workforce issues and advance Governor Rick Scott’s vision of Florida as a leading global destination for business. Regional Workforce Boards and the One-Stop Career Centers they direct are primarily responsible for providing employment and training services for job seekers and employers.

Learn more about available business and human resource assistance and training grant programs by contacting a regional workforce representative in your area or visit www.employflorida.com

 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
www.floridajobs.org
(850) 245-7105

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) was established in 2011 to promote economic prosperity for all development strategies. DEO is the state’s hub for community and economic development, fostering business and job growth throughout Florida. Its mission is: (1) to increase Florida’s global competitiveness as a destination for business, capital, talent, innovation and entrepreneurship; (2) to promote Florida as the world destination choice for business and industry; and (3) to facilitate business development through delivery of world-class service.

Visit www.floridajobs.org to learn more about: