Business Resources and Groups

Charlotte County Municipalities
>> Businesses planning to locate in Punta Gorda must get a business tax receipt for the city, then one from the county. Fees depend on the type of business. The county also requires a certificate of use.

Information: For local business tax receipts, contractor licenses or to start a new business, contact the Charlotte County Building Construction Services office at 18400 Murdock Circle in Port Charlotte, (941) 743-1201, or visit www.charlottecountyfl.com/BCS/License for an application packet. Direct permitting questions to (941) 743-1201, zoning questions to (941) 743-1964, and business tax receipt requests to (941) 743-1210.

Financing Information and Other Resources

Gulf Coast Venture Forum: A nonprofit entrepreneurial support group that promotes the region’s new and emerging businesses by bringing together entrepreneurs, educational resources, capital providers and service providers.
Contact: (239) 262-6300; 350 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 203, Naples, FL 34102; www.gcvf.com

Florida Gulf Coast University Small Business Development Center: A nonprofit organization, the SBDC is part of the university’s Center of Leadership and Innovation, which is operated by FGCU’s College of Business and the U.S. Small Business Administration. It provides a variety of services for small businesses, including counseling and workshops, working toward its mission to strengthen the region’s economy. Contact: (239) 225-4220; cli.fgcu.edu/sbdc

U.S. Small Business Administration
Contact: (305) 536-5521, South Florida district office; www.sba.gov/financing

U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Business Liaison
Contact: (202) 482-1360; www.osec.doc.gov/obl

Enterprise Florida
Contact: (305) 808-3660, Miami
office; www.eflorida.com

Lee County Economic Development Office
Contact: (239) 338-3161, (800) 330-3161; www.leecountybusiness.com

Cape Coral Economic Development Office
Contact: (239) 574-0444, (866) 573-3089; www.bizcapecoral.com

Economic Development Council of Collier County
Contact: (239) 263-8989, (866) 362-7537; www.enaplesflorida.com

Charlotte County Economic Development Office
Contact: (941) 627-3023, (800) 729-5836; www.pureeconomics.org

Southwest Florida Regional Development Corp.
Contact: (239) 652-5588; www.srdcorp.org

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
Offers free business consulting
Contact: Naples, (239) 430-0081, www.scorenaples.org; Fort Myers, (239) 489-2935, www.score219.org; Port Charlotte, (941) 743-6179

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Economic Development Organizations

STATEWIDE

Enterprise Florida
>>The state’s principal economic development organization—a partnership between government and business leaders.
>> Information: 800 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite 1100, Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 956-5600 phone, (407) 956-5599 fax
www.eflorida.com

Florida Economic Development Council
>>A statewide association that acts as a resource for economic development-related policy, education and networking. A membership-based, nonprofit corporation.
>> Information: 325 John Knox Road, Atrium Building, Suite 201, Tallahassee, FL 32315-3186
P.O. Box 3186, Tallahassee, FL 32315-3186
(850) 201-3332 phone, (850) 201-3330 fax
www.fedc.net

REGIONAL

Southwest Florida Regional Development Corp.
>>Nonprofit organization licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide assistance for the SBA 504 loan program and to promote other economic development financing arrangements.
>> Information: 13180 N. Cleveland Ave., Suite 232, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
(239) 652-5588 phone, (239) 652-9988 fax
President: Thomas Wallace
www.srdcorp.org

Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council
>>The planning agency serving Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties. Directed by a council composed of local elected officials and gubernatorial appointees.
>> Information: 1926 Victoria Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 338-2550 phone, (239) 338-2560 fax
Executive director: David Burr
www.swfrpc.org

Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board
>> A partnership between business, labor, education, community and government services that oversees workforce development initiatives in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.
>> Information: 9530 Marketplace Road, Suite 104, Fort Myers, FL 33912
(239) 225-2500 phone, (239) 225-2559 fax
Executive director: Joseph Paterno
www.careerandservicecenter.org

LEE COUNTY

Lee County Economic Development Office
>>A branch of Lee County government that works with public/private organizations to attract new companies to the area and help existing businesses grow.
>> Information: 12800 University Drive, Suite 300, Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239) 338-3161 phone, (239) 338-3227 fax
Executive director: Regina Smith
www.leecountybusiness.com

Cape Coral Department of Economic Development
>>A branch of Cape Coral government that works to strengthen existing businesses and to grow new businesses.
>> Information: P.O. Box 150027, Cape Coral, FL 33915-0027
(239) 574-0444 phone, (239) 574-0452 fax
Executive director: Mike Jackson
www.bizcapecoral.com

Southwest Florida Enterprise Center
>>A City of Fort Myers-backed business incubator that provides support, resources and services to entrepreneurs and developing companies.
>> Information: 3901 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33916
(239) 332-6701 phone
Director: Tom Scott
www.swflenterprisecenter.com

Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency
>>Oversees the revitalization of downtown Fort Myers.
>> Information: 1400 Jackson St., Suite 102, Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 332-6813 phone, (239) 332-6659 fax
Executive director: Don Paight
www.cityftmyers.com/departments/cra.aspx

COLLIER COUNTY

The Economic Development Council of Collier County
>>A public/private partnership that promotes economic development initiatives to diversify the local economy, creates high-wage, value-added jobs, increases the average wage and facilitates capital formation.
>> Information: 3050 N. Horseshoe Drive, Suite 120, Naples, FL 34104
(239) 263-8989 phone, (239) 263-6021 fax
President: Tammie Nemecek
www.enaplesflorida.com

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Charlotte County Economic Development Office
>>Offers information and assistance to existing companies and to businesses wishing to move to Charlotte County.
>> Information: 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
(941) 627-3023 phone, (941) 627-6314 fax
www.pureeconomics.org

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Chambers

LEE COUNTY

Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce
>> Year Founded: 1991
>> Members: 255
>> Executive director: Craig Lutz
P.O. Box 704, Boca Grande, FL 33921
(941) 964-0568 phone, (941) 964-0620 fax
www.bocagrandechamber.com
info@bocagrandechamber.com

Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1953
>> Members: 1,300
>> President: Nancy Keefer
25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
(239) 992-2943 phone, (239) 992-5011 fax
www.bonitaspringschamber.com
info@bonitaspringschamber.com

Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1989
>> Members: 1,000
>> President: Mike Quaintance
2051 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral, FL 33904
(239) 549-6900 phone, (239) 549-9609 fax
61 Hancock Bridge Parkway W., Suite A, Cape Coral, FL 33991
(239) 458-4894 phone, (239) 458-5014 fax
www.capecoralchamber.com
info@capecoralchamber.com

The Chamber of Southwest Florida
>> Year founded: 1989
>> Members: 200
>> President: Stephen T. Tirey
1520 Royal Palm Square Blvd., Suite 210, Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 278-4001 phone, (239) 278-3319 fax
www.chamber-swflorida.com
chamberswf@sprintmail.com

Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida
>> Year founded: 1997
>> Members: 600
>> Executive director: Jeanne M. Sweeney
8191 College Parkway, Suite 205, Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 481-1411 phone, (239) 415-2005 fax
www.hischamber.org
christianchamber@earthlink.net

Estero Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1998
>> Members: 275
>> CEO: Meg Judge
P.O. Box 588, Estero, FL 33928
(239) 948-7990 phone, (239) 947-9968 fax
www.esterochamber.org
info@esterochamber.org

Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1940
>> Members: 580
>> President: D.J. Petruccelli
17200 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239) 454-7500 phone, (239) 454-7910 fax
www.fmbchamber.com
info@fmbchamber.com

Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1989
>> Members: 1,300
>> Executive director: Marietta Mudgett
2310 Edwards Drive, P.O. Box 9289
Fort Myers, FL 33902
(239) 332-3624 phone, (239) 332-7276 fax
www.fortmyers.org
fortmyers@fortmyers.org

Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: early 1950s
>> Members: 260
>> President: Bernard Johnson
3640 N.W. Pine Island Road, P.O. Box 525
Matlacha, FL 33993
(239) 283-0888 phone, (239) 283-0336 fax
www.pineislandchamber.org
info@pineislandchamber.org

Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1960
>> Members: 425
>> Executive director: Oliver B. Conover
4109 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
(239) 369-3322 phone, (239) 368-0500 fax
www.lehighacreschamber.org
ollie.lehighchamber@comcast.net

Lee County Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 2000
>> Members: 810
>> President: Armando Nargi
13601 McGregor Blvd., Suite 16, Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 931-0931 phone, (239) 931-0917 fax
www.leechamber.com
info@leechamber.com

North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1982
>> Members: 300
3323 N. Key Drive, Suite 1, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
(239) 997-9111 phone, (239) 997-4026 fax
www.nfmcc.com
nfmchamber@yahoo.com

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1954
>> Members: 600
>> Executive director: Ric Base
1159 Causeway Road, Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 472-1080 phone, (239) 472-1070 fax
www.sanibel-captiva.biz
island@sanibel-captiva.org

Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1989
>> Members: 600
>> Executive director: Leonardo Garcia
10051 McGregor Blvd., Suite 204, Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 418-1441 phone, (239) 418-1475 fax
hispanicchamber.lg@earthlink.net

COLLIER COUNTY

Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: circa 1953
>> Members: 100
>> Executive director: Winifred Thomas
P.O. Box 130, Everglades City, FL 34139
(239) 695-3172 phone, (239) 695-3171 fax
www.evergladeschamber.com
info@evergladeschamber.com

German American Business Chamber of Florida, Southwest Chapter
>> Founded: 1992
>> Members: 110
>> Executive director: Liz Pfunder
3838 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 416
Naples, FL 34103
(239) 643-3273 phone, (239) 643-9916 (fax)
www.gabc.us
naplesgabc@earthlink.net

Immokalee Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1963
>> Members: 235
>> Executive director: Dick Rice
310 Alachua, Immokalee, FL 34142
(239) 657-3237 phone, (239) 657-5450 fax
www.immokaleechamber.org
info@immokaleechamber.org

Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1977
>> Members: 745
>> Executive director: Sandi Riedemann
1102 N. Collier Blvd.,
Marco Island, FL 34145
(239) 394-7549 phone, (239) 394-3061 fax
www.marcoislandchamber.org
info@marcoislandchamber.org

Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1946
>> Members: 1,500
>> President: Michael Reagen
2390 Tamiami Trail N., Naples, FL 34103
(239) 262-6376 phone, (239) 262-8374 fax
www.napleschamber.org
info@napleschamber.org