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
Director: James W. Moore
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
Acting director of Economic Development: Terry Stewart
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.floridaEDO.com  
 

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.floridaEDO.com

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