Enterprise Florida

This 2021 Florida Small Business issue comes at a time when we are all focused on maximizing and extending recovery and growth for all segments of Florida’s economy. As the state’s principal economic development agency, Enterprise Florida, Inc. is working hard to support the diversification, resilience, and recovery of our state’s economy. We have recently added a director for our Minority & Small Business Entrepreneurship and Capital division. Additionally, our Rural Development director is working daily in communities where small businesses predominate the landscape. We will continue creating an environment where small businesses in every sector can recover and grow. Contact us and let us help you maximize your success here
in Florida. 

Jamal Sowell, President and CEO
(877) YES-FLORIDA • enterpriseflorida.com

 

Florida Small Business Development Center Network

Our state’s small businesses have faced unprecedented challenges over the last year. However, Florida’s small businesses are veterans of disasters and have shown their true resiliency through the COVID-19 pandemic. In times of uncertainty, there’s one thing that’s certain: we at the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network are here to help. State designated as Florida’s principal provider of small business assistance, the Florida SBDC Network is your trusted source for the expertise and resources to help your business navigate challenges and achieve your business goals. Visit us online at www.FloridaSBDC.org to learn more about our services and find one of our more than 40 offices nearest you.

Greg Britton, CEO
(850) 898-3479 • floridaSBDC.org

 

 

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is committed to bolstering Florida’s workforce and creating an environment where businesses can succeed, and thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis’ bold leadership, Florida is open for business, boasting a post-pandemic low unemployment rate of 4.7% as of February 2021 — far below the national average. Florida has developed a business-friendly environment where an entrepreneurial spirit, competitive costs, and streamlined regulations are the economic drivers that enable businesses to be innovative and grow.

DEO’s small business programs are designed to provide new opportunities for Florida’s small business community so they can flourish. Florida’s low taxes and
pro-business climate make it the ideal location for entrepreneurs and small business owners to create, invest, and re-locate their businesses to Florida. We stand ready to continue fostering job growth by adopting innovative solutions that benefit all Floridians.
For more information about programs designed to assist Florida communities,
please visit floridajobs.org/smallbusiness.

Dane Eagle, Executive Director
(850) 245-7105 • floridajobs.org

 

CareerSource Florida

Florida’s business landscape is rapidly changing — from record low unemployment to the widespread impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, CareerSource Florida is helping businesses find talent and talented Floridians find jobs. Whether your business needs to recruit specialized talent, hire new team members, train existing employees, or all three, CareerSource Florida can help. Our team of business and workforce development professionals offers expertise, funding and resources — including labor market data — to help businesses succeed. CareerSource Florida is focused on helping develop and grow Florida’s future workforce. Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, we are collaborating with our education and economic development partners to make Florida No. 1 for workforce education. We assisted more than 59,300 employers last year, including businesses in the smallest towns and the largest metro areas in the state.
If you need to start, grow or rebuild your business, we can help. Let’s work together to make Florida the global leader for talent.

Michelle Dennard, President and CEO
(850) 692-6887 • careersourceflorida.com