Resources

Contacts & 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.

Clearwater Chamber of Commerce

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 stats, 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.

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 Sales 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 their 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 their partnerships with other technical assistance providers on local, state and federal levels.