We have many trusted Partners, many of which offer free resources and consultation to small businesses. Everything from creating a business plan, obtaining financing or hiring workers - there is a resource to get your business started and growing.
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Small Business Development and Consultation
Small Business Development Center The SBDC offers assistance with capital access, data, international trade, business continuation, consultation and more. SCORE - Naples Chapter SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource that partners with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years. Fusion Pointe Fusion Pointe is a nonprofit venture development organization based in Southwest Florida focused on dramatically increasing the number of high-quality, investment-ready companies in Southwest Florida. Through mentorship and technical assistance, Fusion Pointe positions startups to attract private investment and create new jobs. Entrepreneurial Resources - Funding Tamiami Angels Fund The Tamiami Family of Funds are Angel Funds organized to allow High Net Worth Individuals and Family Offices an opportunity for active involvement in a diversified capital investment process with the goal to build a portfolio of high potential, emerging growth companies Networking and Venture Pitch 1MillionCups – Naples 1 Million Cups is a free program designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. As a program of the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses. Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center (FVERC) – Collier The Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center is an online directory of resource agencies that serve entrepreneurs, organized for each stage of business. Naples Business Accelerator The mission of The Naples Accelerator is to assist new and emerging businesses and ideas achieve new heights by providing business mentorships, essential services and a collaborative environment. Industry Associations Southwest Regional Manufacturing Association - SRMA The SRMA is the conduit that brings manufacturers and the needed resources in Southwest Florida together to help them to thrive in the areas of economic development, state of the art technology, and maintaining a highly skilled workforce. Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership - (SWFRTP) The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership is comprised of technology companies, technology users, economic development groups and higher education institutions united to promote and expand the regional technology sector through seminars, forums and educational programs. SWFRTP creates linkages with IT users and service providers; education and economic institutions. Young Professionals of Naples Connect, engage, and empower the Young Professionals of Naples for enrichment of the community through business, leadership, philanthropic and social activities. Collier Building Industry Association – (CBIA) The Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA) is a member-driven organization, providing its members with educational programs and industry resources throughout the construction industry in Collier County, Florida. CBIA is committed to helping you advance the depth and breadth of your professional experience through advocacy, education, networking and philanthropy. Marine Industries Association of Collier County Marine Industries Association of Collier County (MIACC) is a not-for-profit membership-based organization focused on the responsible growth of the marine industry for the benefit of its members, recreational boaters, the community, and the environment Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry which represents 1.5 million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. General Economy Data Demographics State & Local Incentives Enterprise Florida (EFI) Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a public-private partnership between Florida’s business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI’s activities have championed Florida as the premier location for business expansion and relocation, created a renewed interest both nationally and internationally Florida Power and Flight (FPL) Power costs should never be a barrier in choosing Florida for your business. Even with rates among the lowest in the Southeast and well below the national average, we understand that, in today’s competitive economy, sometimes it takes more. FPL has two programs for economic development projects. Please refer to the URL for more information about the incentives and qualification. Florida Department of Revenue - Exemption for Industrial Machinery and Equipment This exemption is available to any business whose primary business activity at the location where the industrial machinery and equipment is used to manufacture, process, compound, or produce items of tangible personal property for sale is specified in North American Industry Classification System. Rural Lands – Immokalee USDA Rural Development USDA Rural Development offer loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services and promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks, credit unions and community-managed lending pools. Promise Zones Promise Zones are high poverty communities where the federal government partners with local leaders to increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, leverage private investment, reduce violent crime, enhance public health and address other priorities identified by the community. County CRA, Fast Track, etc. Co-working and flexible office space Regus Regus is the world’s largest provider of flexible workspace solutions, with customers including some of the most successful entrepreneurs, individuals and multi-billion-dollar corporations. Venture X – Naples Located in Mercato in the heart of Naples, the space offers a diverse community you can connect with that includes entrepreneurs, architects, tech startups, health & fitness publishers, marketing teams, financial advisors, realtors, attorneys and more Premiere Executive Suites Premiere Executive Suites has single starter offices, large executive suites, team offices, double suites, triple and larger. These various sizes allow the flexibility needed in today’s changing business market. Suite 200 - Naples Executive Suites Suite 200 by Naples Executive Suites offers the right combination of space, technology and amenities for your business needs, as well as your daily living requirements. Workforce Partners CareerSource Southwest Florida CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board. Our partners include the Department of Economic Opportunity, 24 local workforce development boards and 100 career centers throughout Florida. Together, we help connect businesses with the talented workforce and training needed to succeed and grow. Spherion Spherion is a staffing leader with local roots and a passion for placing the right person in the right job. Founded in 1946, we have a firm grasp on what it takes to build a strong workforce and a successful career. Florida Southwestern State College Corporate Training Center The FSW Corporate Training Center provides a centralized location for FSW’s corporate training initiatives, the Florida Flex Quick Response Training (QRT) and the Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) grants. It is also the focal point for FSW’s customized business training programs. Colleges and Universities Florida Southwestern State College Florida Gulf Coast University Ave Maria University Hodges University Lorenzo Walker Technical College Immokalee Technical College (iTech) Center for Manufacturing Excellence |
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. I want to start a business, where do I start?
Start with SunBiz.org/start-business/. The Division of Corporations is the State of Florida's official business entity index and commercial activity website. Here you will find a step-by-step guideline for starting a business in Florida.
2. What incentives are available for my business?
There are many state and local incentives available for your business. To understand the incentives that are available and if your business qualifies you can visit Collier County and Enterprise Florida. We also work with other state and national partners such as Florida Power and Light and the Department of Revenue to help your business receive the largest benefit allowable. Please contact Melanie Schmees at 239-40-2914 or melanie@napelschamber.org for more information.
3. Am I required to have a business tax license to operate my business in Collier County?
Yes. To find out more about obtaining business tax license, www.colliertax.com has an informative “Business Tax Receipts” tab on its pages, or read and print this: “How do I apply for a Business Tax Receipt?"
To contact the Collier County Business Tax Receipt Division, email: btr@colliertax.com or call 239-252-2477.
4. I am a small business in need of grants and loans. Where can I find more assistance and information?
There are many options for grants and loans in Collier County, depending on your specific business needs. Some resources include the SBDC, who can assist your business with anything from commercial lending to SBA loans to alternative sources. There are also grants through CareerSource of SWFL and the FSW Corporate Training Center. Grant funding covers programs including Quick Response Training, Incumbent Worker Training and additional specialized training that is the ideal fit for your business and employees.
Start with SunBiz.org/start-business/. The Division of Corporations is the State of Florida's official business entity index and commercial activity website. Here you will find a step-by-step guideline for starting a business in Florida.
2. What incentives are available for my business?
There are many state and local incentives available for your business. To understand the incentives that are available and if your business qualifies you can visit Collier County and Enterprise Florida. We also work with other state and national partners such as Florida Power and Light and the Department of Revenue to help your business receive the largest benefit allowable. Please contact Melanie Schmees at 239-40-2914 or melanie@napelschamber.org for more information.
3. Am I required to have a business tax license to operate my business in Collier County?
Yes. To find out more about obtaining business tax license, www.colliertax.com has an informative “Business Tax Receipts” tab on its pages, or read and print this: “How do I apply for a Business Tax Receipt?"
To contact the Collier County Business Tax Receipt Division, email: btr@colliertax.com or call 239-252-2477.
4. I am a small business in need of grants and loans. Where can I find more assistance and information?
There are many options for grants and loans in Collier County, depending on your specific business needs. Some resources include the SBDC, who can assist your business with anything from commercial lending to SBA loans to alternative sources. There are also grants through CareerSource of SWFL and the FSW Corporate Training Center. Grant funding covers programs including Quick Response Training, Incumbent Worker Training and additional specialized training that is the ideal fit for your business and employees.
