ALTERNATIVE FINANCIAL RESOURCES 

  • ACCION USA
    The City of Hollywood has partnered with ACCION USA, a non-profit organization that offers flexible small business loans of up to $50,000 and financial education to start-up and existing small business owners. Please click above for additional information.
  • H.E.L.P.
    The new Hollywood Economic Lenders Partnership (H.E.L.P.) Financial Consortium consisting of Hollywood's Office of Business and International Trade, area banks and other financial institutions, was created to streamline access to capital for businesses. Please click above for additional information.
  • Florida Mezzanine Fund
    Florida Mezzanine Fund provides business owners access to mezzanine loans for privately held, mid-market growth companies.  Headquartered in Orlando, FL, the fund was created in partnership with CapitalSouth Partners to invest in companies with compelling business models, attractive growth prospects and quality management teams. For more information please visit: http://www.floridamezz.com, or call 407.648.5097.

     

BUSINESS CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES

  • Five Simple Steps to do Business with the Federal Government 
    • 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.



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    BUSINESS RESOURCES 

    • 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.
    • Florida Trend Resource Guide
      The Florida Trend Resource Guide provides information on how to start a business in Florida.

    • A Message from Dr. Jerry Osteryoung
      Dr. Jerry Osteryoung, Director of Outreach Services, Jim Moran Institute, College of Business at Florida State University provides a weekly article from his column on Small Business in the Tallahassee Democrat.
    • 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.


    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 2012 Business Development Workshops
      The City of Hollywood is offering free business development workshops to help local businesses succeed. Learn differnt ways to market your business, gain computer skills and other tools to help sustain and grow your business.
    • One-Stop Business Services 
      The City of Hollywood is offering free One-Stop Business Services to new and potential business owners in Hollywood.
    • On-the-Job Training Program (OJT) 
      WorkForce One Employment Solutions' On-the-Job Training Program (OJT) provides an opportunity for your business to get dollars to train new employees in the skills needed to perform their job effectively.
    • 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.


    • 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.
    • 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.

    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