• Establish a valid business bank account (required for registration and electronic payment)
• Federal Tax ID #
• DUNS # - you can obtain this by visiting: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do
• Register via Central Contractor Registry at the following link:

  http://www.ccr.gov

• "Certs and Reps" (all contractors must certify compliance with range of environmental, immigration and other laws)
  The Federal Government spends over $12 billion a year in Florida
  Information provided courtesy of the Professional Services Council.

BUSINESS RESOURCES  

• Commercial Property Search
  The City of Hollywood has developed a Commercial Property Search website to promote economic development and provide developers, brokers and other property owners with a free tool to list and market vacant properties.
  
  
• The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University -provides consulting assistance to entrepreneurs and large businesses, mentoring to small businesses, and a youth initiative which introduces high school students to business and entrepreneurship.  Visit:
  http://cob.fsu.edu/jmi/articles/index.cfm or call 1-850-644-3372.
  
  
• Florida Back to Work Program
  WorkForce One recently announced the Florida Back to Work Program which can reimburse your company up to 95% of employee wages and benefits when you hire new employees through this program.
  
  
• Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide assistance to Broward Residences and Businesses
  The Small Business Administration has declared Broward County a disaster area following the severe weather and flooding that occurred on December 17-18, allowing both homeowners and business owners opportunities for assistance. Please see the following for additional information: SBA Fact Sheet, SBA Businesses, SBA Homeowners/Renters.
  
  
• Florida Trend Resource Guide
  The Florida Trend Resource Guide provides information on how to start a business in Florida.
  
  
• Send Your Sales Tax to School
  You can make a difference to your school system right here by helping to keep some of your sales tax in Broward County. Parents and teachers can help get the word out to businesses about a new law that does just that.
  
  
• Obama's Impact on Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
  BusinessWeek recently published two articles regarding Obama's impact on small businesses and entrepreneurs. Click here to read the full articles.
  
  
• Small Business Administration (SBA) - has numerous publications on starting a business and valuable information to help turn your entrepreneurial dream into a thriving new business. They offer training programs. Visit their free online course website or call 1-800-827-5722. To contact the South Florida District Office, please call 305-536-5521.
  
  
• National Safety Council - The National Safety Council of South Florida protects life and promotes Safety & Health in our community. Here is a list of incoming certifications.
  
  
  
• The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward Economic Development Alliance
  The Broward Alliance is Broward County's official public/private partnership for economic development. Its mission is to lead Broward County in building a stronger and more diverse economy by stimulating the creation of new jobs and capital investment while facilitating the growth and retention of businesses in Broward Country. Services offered by The Broward Alliance include assistance with business relocation or expansion and site selection; incentive programs and informational market research; small, minority-and women-owned business assistance; film permitting; government liasion and community resource referrals for film and television; and serving as a liasion for workforce development between educational institutions and the business community. To learn more, please visit www.browardalliance.org or call (954) 524-3113.
  
  
  
• New Markets Tax Credits Program
  The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program permits taxpayers to receive a credit against Federal income taxes for making qualified equity investments in designated Community Development Entities (CDEs). Substantially all of the qualified equity investment must in turn be used by the CDE to provide investments in low-income communities.
  
  
  
• Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
  ADP Small Business Services provides payroll and business solutions for businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
  
  
  
• Business Resource Center and Small Business Development Center - 954-762-5201.
  
  
  
• My BIZ for Women
  An information clearing house for women entrepreneurs providing information on small business financing, government contracting and starting and expanding a business and more.
  
  
  
• First Florida Capital
  Private non-profit that offers the SBA's 504 loan program.
  Phone: 888-320-5504.
  
  
  
• Florida Venture Forum
  A networking group that identifies sources of capital and assists in business plan writing. Phone: 813-335-8116.
  
  
  
• Enterprise Florida, Inc. (eFlorida)
  Excellent business resources for businesses already in Florida or looking to locate/relocate to Florida. To view a list of the 2009 Enterprise Florida Business Incentives, click here. 
  
  
  
• FloridaSmallBusiness.com
  "Hot Ideas for Small and Growing Businesses" - From the Publisher of Florida Trend Magazine.
  
  
• Office of Insurance Regulation
  Property and Casualty Joint Underwriters Association.
  
  
  
• Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) - "Counselors to America's Small Business" provides entrepreneurs with free, confidential face-to-face and online business counseling, workshops and mentoring. visit: www.score.org or call 1-800-634-0245.
  
  
  
• MetroBroward Economic Development Corp - Metro Broward is the only certified Community Development Financial Institution(CDFI) exclusively serving Broward County. The Entrepreneurial Institute was formed in collaboration with Broward Community College and The South Florida Regional Planning Council. The partnership represents a collective response to the repeated requests from prospective and existing entrepreneurs for a one stop resource that would provide "real world" and hands on" advise, coaching, technical assistance and education for starting, growing/funding and maintaining a competitive small business. visit: www.metrobroward.org or call 954-587-3755.
  
  
  
• Broward County Extension Education Division FastTrac New Venture - is ground zero for anyone interested in starting a business. An educational program created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. FastTrac is designed to help you evaluate and perfect your business concept. Taught by seasoned entrepreneurs, FastTrac's hands-on program uses your idea as a case study, giving you an opportunity to "workshop" your venture in a safe and supportive environment. visit: www.broward.org/extension or call 954-370-3725.
  
  
  
• National Association for the Self-employed - has several tools and features that you should find useful if you're considering buying or starting a business or franchise. visit: http://www.nase.com/
  
  
  
• Why Record Trademarks and Copyrights with U.S. Customs?
  It is extremely beneficial for a company to record its registered trademark or copyright with U.S. Customs, as U.S. Customs may be a company’s greatest, and most cost effective ally when it comes to trademark and copyright enforcement.
  
  
  
• Text Messaging for your Business
  A new trend in advertising for your business.
  
  
• New Year's 2010
  Reflections and Resolutions
  
  
• Employee Potential
  Recognizing your employees potential.
  
  
  
• Small Business and Banking
  Funding information for your small business.
  
  
• Marketing Strategy for your business
  How appropriate is the markteting strategy for your business.
  
  
• Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF)
  Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) is a national leader in financing nonprofits, strengthening their financial health and improving their capacity to serve their communities. With NFF's help, nonprofits build and renovate facilitates, fund growth needs, and expand and sustain operations over time.
  
  
• WorkForce One
  This organization provides a wealth of information for businessess and individuals interested in new jobs, better jobs or training opportunities.
  
  
• STEM Florida Business Roundtable Events

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

• The Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce
  
  
• Certificate in International Management
  The Florida Foreign Trade Association is offering a course in International Management.
  
  
• Trade Events for 2010
  The Jay Malina International Trade Consortium (ITC) of Miami-Dade County has compiled a list of trade related events for 2010. Please click above for more details.
  
  
• AES Compliance Seminars in English and Spanish
  Training for the Automated Export System is being offered in English and Spanish. Click above for dates and locations.
  
  
• How to Get Started in Import and Export
  The Florida Foreign Trade Association invites you to participate in a training program in international trade.
  
  
• Business Expo International Trading After Hours
  
  
• U.S. Commercial Service Construction Trade Show
  U.S. companies promotion at local construction trade show.
  
  
• International Trade Workshop
  The City of Hollywood is hosting a free business workshop "Opportunities in International Trade."
  
  
• Workshop Series
  The Florida Foreign Trade Association is hosting a series of workshops for businesses interested in setting up an international trade business in Florida.
  
  
• Trade Mission to Dominican Republic & Jamaica
  

  The U.S. Commercial Service is organizing an outbound Trade

  Mission focused on business opportunities in the Dominican

  Republic & Jamaica.
  
  

• Enterprise Florida Trade Leads by Industry Sector
  Enterprise Florida is pleased to bring you the latest International Trade Leads.
  

• Enterprise Florida
  Located at the geographic and commercial crossroads of the Americas, Florida has emerged as a key global trade hub. With its well-developed international trade infrastructure, multilingual workforce, and unbeatable bottom-line business advantages, the state is a logical gateway for companies wishing to access global markets.  
• 2009 International Trade Missions
  The City of Hollywood has hosted several trade missions in 2009. Please note, the delegation schedule from Haiti on November 17 has been cancelled.

GREEN INITIATIVES FOR BUSINESSES

Clean Energy
eFlorida recently published an article regarding venture capitalists investment in the biofuels subsector.

Clean Energy Key Incentives
Enerprise Florida has two information sheets that deal with the clean energy sector. Feel free to share this information with inerested parties. Click here to view the Key Incentives for the Clean Energy Sector and click here to view Florida's Key Incentives for High Impact Sectors.

Financial Incentives for Renewable Energy
The State of Florida offers a number of financial incentives to businesses, organizations and residents who are seeking to use renewable energy technologies. The following programs that provide these benefits are:

• Green Lodging Program
• Florida Renewable Energy Technologies Grant Program
• Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit
• Renewable Energy Technologies Investment Tax Credit
• Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption
• Renewable Energy Equipment Sales Tax Exemption