Resources
Contacts and resources for your business success
If you’re ready for your business to grow in the Clearwater area, here are resources to help you get started.
The various sources listed should provide information to assist in accomplishing your business planning or market research.
WEBSITES:
Clearwater Chamber of Commerce Join the Clearwater
Fl community of business leaders
American Community Survey A new nationwide survey with annual updates designed to provide communities a fresh look at how they are changing. Focus in on 800 geographical areas profiles and rankings.
American Factfinder User-friendly source for census information on population, housing, geographic or economic data. Search for Fact Sheets on your community by zip code, city/town, county or state.
BEARFACTS Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Facts. Narrative analysis for states, counties,metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), and BEA Economic Areas: area’s personal income using current estimates, growth rates, and a breakdown of the sources of personal income.
Central Florida Market Data Data from the Orlando Sentinel on everything from Origins of New Residents to Credit Card Usage, from Housing Starts to Store Sales by Category in the Central Florida region.
County Business Patterns Search for business data by county, by ZIP Code or by MSA (metropolitan statistical area).
Economic Indicators Here’s where to find the leading economic indicators as they are updated. Housing starts,household income, manufacturers’ shipments, inventories and orders, construction spending and more.
Score Free counseling assistance is available to anyone seeking to start a business or need information on how to grow their business.
OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS:
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations.
Better Business Bureau can alert you to complaints against companies in your area.
GETTING STARTED:
Fictitious Name Registration-Anyone conducting business in the State of Florida must file a Fictitious Name Registration with the State of Florida as per Florida Statute section 865.09.
This applies to anyone conducting a business and using a business name that does not fall under the State of Florida exemption guidelines. For further information, contact the State of Florida Fictitious Name Department at (850) 245-6058.
CORPORATIONS:
Corporations are filed with the Secretary of State. Call (850) 245-6052 for further information. Out-of-state corporations must register with the Secretary of State if they intend to use their corporate name. For further information, call (850) 245-6051.
STATE SALE TAX:
State Sales Tax numbers are issued by the Florida Department of Revenue. Their local office is located at 5420 Diplomat Circle, Orlando 32810. For further information, call (407) 623-1141.
FEDERAL TAXES:
Federal I.D. numbers are issued by the Internal Revenue Service. For further information, call 1-800-829-1040.
STATE LICENSING:
State licensing requirements can be obtained by calling the Consumer Services Department at 1-800-435-7352.
Workman’s Compensation- Information can be obtained by calling the Orlando office of the Department of Labor at (407)245-0758.
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES:
Florida First Capital Finance Corporation
Promotes and assists the growth and development of small businesses.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Programs and services to help you start grow and succeed.
Florida Black Business Investment Board
Financing for black-owned businesses.
FLORIDA STATE PROGRAMS
Office of Supplier Diversity – Improves business and economic opportunities for Florida’s women owned and minority-owned businesses.
Florida Trend’s Small Business Magazine
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
agency specifically created to encourage the creation, growth and expansion of minority-owned businesses in the United States. Orlando Minority Business Opportunity Committee 407.245.6062.
Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance, Inc.
Dedicated to supporting our clients through entrepreneurial and business development, seminars and workshops, access to capital, management and technical assistance, individual consulting, contract matchmaking, program management, construction services, community advocacy and through our partnerships with other technical assistance providers on local, state and federal levels.
I strongly endorse Andrew Mongelluzzi. He is a very skilled and able business attorney focused on customer service and results. On the front end, Andrew deftly advises new businesses on organizing properly, acquiring necessary licenses, contracting with vendors & customers, and dealing with various compliance issues that may arise. On the back end when things go south, Andrew counsels and navigates businesses through complex commercial disputes and aggressively represents them in negotiations, mediation, arbitration, and in litigation so that businesses can legally move on and get back to business. Andrew’s ability to identify legal issues and approaches to resolve business-related issues is a strength that I have learned from and professionally relied upon in approaching the business matters and cases that I handle. I regularly refer business to Andrew knowing that he will diligently represent his business clients and their best interests.
Relationship: worked together on matter