LEE COUNTY

Lee County Job Opportunity
Program for High-Wage Jobs: Up to $2,000 per full-time job
created (15 percent more than average wage); additional $1,000 per full-time job located in an enterprise zone or community redevelopment area.

Industrial Development Revenue Bonds: Tax-exempt bonds ranging from $3 million to
$10 million.

Economic Incentive Reserve Fund in Cape Coral: Up to $1,500 per full-time job created.

Impact Fee Incentive Program in Cape Coral: Defers impact fee; amounts vary.

Lee Target Industries
>> Aviation and aerospace
>> Information technology and software development
>> Customer support, shared services and back-office processing
>> Manufacturing
>> Corporate headquarters

State and Federal Incentives

Qualified Targeted Industry Tax Refund: Tax refunds of up to $3,000 per new job created through expansion or by new business in targeted markets; increases to $6,000 per job if the company locates in an enterprise zone.

High-Impact Performance Incentive: Negotiated grant to attract and grow major, high-impact facilities in Florida.

Capital Investment Tax Credit: Program to attract and grow capital-intensive industries in Florida; annual credit, provided for up to 20 years, against the corporate income tax.

Qualified Defense Contractor Tax Refund: Designed to give Florida’s defense contractors a competitive edge in consolidating defense contracts, acquiring new contracts or converting to civilian production.

Incumbent Worker Training Program: Grant for customized training of existing employees to keep firms and workers competitive; averages $400 per employee; no minimum wage requirement; grant goes directly to company; no restrictions on type of training.

Quick Response Training Program: Grant for customized training to new or expanding businesses; averages $600 per employee.

Employed Worker Training Program: Grant funding for customized employee training to existing businesses to remain competitive.

Economic Development Transportation Fund: "Road Fund" grant provides up to $2 million to local governments for the construction or improvement of transportation infrastructure needed to accommodate new or expanding industry.

Industrial Development Authority Revenue Bonds: Tax-exempt bond pool used to make low-interest loans for new facilities or expansions.

Enterprise Bond Program: Tax-exempt, low-interest bonds ranging from $500,000 to $2.5 million for manufacturing and 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations through Florida Development Finance Corp.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit: Federal income tax credit encourages employers to hire targeted groups of job seekers. It can reduce federal tax liability by as much as $2,400 per new hire and is designed to help those most in need of employment gain on-the-job experience and move toward self-sufficiency.

COLLIER COUNTY

Fast Track Regulatory Process Program: Designed to expedite qualifying companies’ permits and applications through the local regulatory process.

Advanced Broadband Infrastructure Investment Program: Reimburses companies up to $25,000 for costs associated with the initial installation or upgrade of advanced broadband infrastructure in commercial and industrial buildings.

Fee Payment Assistance Program: Offsets all or a portion of the county impact fees for new construction.

Property Tax Stimulus Program: An alternative to Fee Payment Assistance Program allows companies to be reimbursed 100 percent of the value of the property taxes paid in that
fiscal year.

Job Creation Investment Program: Cash incentive based on the number of new jobs created by the company; for example, $2,000 per new job for companies locating in eastern or western Collier County, and $3,000 for those in Immokalee Enterprise Community.

Enterprise Zone

State enterprise zones in Southwest Florida include
Immokalee and Everglades City in Collier and Fort Myers in Lee County. Incentives include job tax credit, property tax credit, building equipment and material sales tax refund, community contribution tax credit program and sales tax exemption for electricity. Immokalee is a Foreign Trade Zone and a Foreign Entrepreneurial Investment Zone, which offers other incentives as well.

Collier Target Industries

>> Corporate headquarters
>> Manufacturing technology
>> Aviation technology
>> Biomedical technology
>> Information technology

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Economic Development Incentive Program: Offers $1,500 for jobs created with salaries equal to or greater than the Florida annual wage plus 100 percent ($61,532); $1,000 for jobs with salaries equal to or greater than the Florida annual wage plus 50 percent ($46,149); and $750 for jobs with salaries equal to or greater than the Florida annual wage plus 15 percent ($35,381).

Capital Incentives: Based on specified levels of capital investments—new buildings, fixtures and improvements to land, building and fixtures. Land improvement incentives rate is $1,000 per $100,000 of real property value added to the county tax roll; personal property incentives rate is $1,000 per $100,000 of value added to the tax roll.

Charlotte Target Industries
>> Manufacturing
>> Professional, scientific and technical services
>> Finance and insurance services
>> Wholesale trade
>> Information industries
>> Management services
>> Administrative and support services

Sources: Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties’ economic development offices.

Employer Identification Number
>>The Internal Revenue Service requires businesses and sole proprietorships with employees to register and receive a federal EIN. A business must register, even if it does not have employees, within seven days after it begins operating.

Information: IRS Form SS-4 is available online at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf, or at the local IRS office at 2891 Center Pointe Drive in Fort Myers, (239) 938-7601. The IRS general information number is (800) 829-1040.
For an EIN, call (800) 829-4933. After receiving the ID number, apply for a state unemployment number.

State Incorporation
>> Articles of incorporation must be filed with the Florida Department of State.

Information: Call (850) 245-6052 for those filing as a C-Corporation or S-Corporation and (850) 245-6051 for those filing as a partnership or limited liability company. Visit www.sunbiz.org or www.dos.state.fl.us/doc.

Professional Licensing and Registration
>> Many professions and occupations require a Florida license or certificate of competency. The state regulates more than 35 industries, ranging from architects to veterinarians.

Information: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, (850) 487-1395. State permitting regulations and licensing requirements can be found at www.myflorida.com/dbpr.
License applications and renewals are handled online at www.myfloridalicense.com.

Service Marks, Trademarks and Fictitious Names
>> The Department of State’s Division of Corporations provides trademark and service-mark protection only within the state. Florida’s Fictitious Name Registration law requires that you register the name under which you do business. Fictitious names no longer need be advertised. Service marks and trademarks must be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Information: For state services, call the Division of Corporations at (800) 755-5111 or visit www.sunbiz.org/help/fichelp.html. For federal services, call the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at (800) 786-9199 or visit www.uspto.gov.

Sales Tax Registration
>> Businesses that sell, rent or lease taxable property must register with the Florida Department of Revenue.

Information: (800) 352-3671, (850) 488-6800, www.myflorida.com/dor/eservices. Local service centers, which often host free educational seminars on tax issues and provide up-to-date tax information, are located at 2295 Victoria Ave., Suite 270, Fort Myers, (239) 338-2400, and 3073 S. Horseshoe Drive, Suite 110, Naples, (239) 434-4858.

Workers’ Compensation
>> Businesses with four or more employees must provide workers’ compensation. Agricultural businesses with at least five regular and/or 12 seasonal workers and all construction businesses also must provide coverage. Construction businesses with one or more part- or full-time employees must purchase coverage.

Information: Call any insurance carrier or the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation at (850) 413-1601, www.fldfs.com/wc.

New Hire Reporting
>> Employers must provide information about new hires within 20 days of the hiring date.

Information: Florida New Hire Reporting Center, (888) 854-4791, (850) 656-3343, www.fl-newhire.com.

The Permitting Process
>> Once federal and state requirements are complete, there are local regulations to follow:

Local Business Tax: Depending on your location, you might need a business tax receipt (formerly occupational license) from the municipality in which your business is located, as well as a business tax receipt from the county. They must be renewed by Sept. 30 of each year or the business will be considered delinquent and will be penalized.

Lee County Municipalities
>> In Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Sanibel, businesses must obtain local business tax receipts from the city before applying for one from the county. (Fort Myers Beach provides this for only a few types of businesses.) In Lee County, fees vary with the kind and size of business.

Information: Forms can be downloaded at www.leetc.com (click on the "Local Business Taxes" tab). The Lee County Tax Collector’s office is at 2480 Thompson St., Fort Myers, (239) 533-6000. Satellite offices are located in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres and North Fort Myers. Lee County also requires a certificate of use and proper zoning approval. Contact the county’s Department of Community Development at 1500 Monroe St. in Fort Myers, (239) 479-8327, www.lee-county.com/dcd (select "Certificate of Use").

Collier County Municipalities
>> Businesses in Naples, Ever-glades City or Marco Island must obtain local business tax receipts from the city before applying for one from the county. Fees vary with the kind and size of business. Collier also requires an approved zoning certificate from the planning services department and a fire inspection by the local fire department.

Information: Forms can be downloaded at www.colliertax.com (click on "Business Tax Receipts" link). The Collier County Tax Collector’s Occupational License Department is at 2800 N. Horseshoe Drive in Naples, (239) 403-2477.

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

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

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

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 1925
>> Members: 1,400
>> Executive director: Julie Mathis
311 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 639-2222 phone, (941) 639-6330 fax
2702 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, Florida 33952
(941) 627-2222 phone, (941) 627-9730 fax
www.charlottecountychamber.org
askus@charlottecountychamber.org

Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce
>> Year founded: 2005
>> Members: 750
>> President: John R. Wright
252 W. Marion Ave., Suite 121, 33950
(941) 639-3720 phone, (941) 639-7498 fax
chamber@puntagorda-chamber.com