Business Resources

The Winter Springs Community Development Department strives to assist our City in achieving its vision for a sustainable, highly desirable, and aesthetically pleasing environment by providing the highest quality and most responsive professional services to the community. Community participation is vital to the quality of life in Winter Springs.

Oviedo has become a preferred location to raise a family and establish a business. The city was recognized as a Top 100 City to Live In by Relocate America, by Family Circle as a best town for families, and by Bloomberg Businessweek as one of the best places to raise kids 2013. This city of approximately 35,000 residents has a median age of 34 and household incomes that are some of the highest in Central Florida. It boasts an exceptional educational system with A-Rated schools and numerous recreational amenities just steps away from
resident’s homes.

Seminole County Economic Development is dedicated to supporting local business. The County’s Economic Strategy recognizes the importance of business retention. Through utilization of our in-house resources, the County’s Economic Development Department is uniquely positioned to help local businesses meet their economic objectives. Appreciating the importance of our local business community, Seminole County Economic Development serves as a clearinghouse of information on programs and incentives available to your business.

SCORE has the largest network of free volunteer small business mentors in the nation. No matter what stage your business is at SCORE has a mentor for you. Easily request a mentor to help you start, grow, or transition your business today!

The UCF Business Incubation Program provides business development and operational support to early-stage, innovative businesses throughout Central Florida. Since 1999, this award-winning program has supported hundreds of companies, who have collectively generated more than $400 million in sales and over $100 million in outside funding.

Since its founding, SBA has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.

CareerSource Central Florida curates local talent for high demand industries, meeting local business needs and cultivating growth and prosperity for the Central Florida community. Whether through job placement, training and certification programs, or higher education, we partner with Central Florida businesses, colleges, and universities to meet industry needs and connect career seekers to local opportunities.

The Central Florida International Trade Office (CFITO) provides a single location to connect with a variety of trade resources in Central Florida! The CFITO hosts international trade delegations interested in doing business with our region.

Guide to Seminole County business services

Planning & Development is responsible for assisting customers to comply with the Seminole County Comprehensive Plan and the Seminole County Land Development Code and related ordinances through a managed review process. The Construction Inspection Team ensures that projects are constructed in compliance with all approvals including Development Orders and construction plans.

The Building Division contributes to the health, safety, and welfare of those who live and visit our County through observance and enforcement of mandated Federal and State Statutes and County Ordinances that regulate the construction and alteration of buildings and structures.

The U.S. SBA provides free on-line training and business consulting services for small businesses covering a range of topics.

Each sale, admission, storage, or rental in Florida is taxable, unless the transaction is exempt. Sales tax is added to the price of taxable goods or services and collected from the purchaser at the time of sale. Florida's general state sales tax rate is 6% with the following exceptions: 4% on amusement machine receipts, 5.5% on the lease or license of commercial real property, and 6.95% on electricity.

Prospera is an economic development, nonprofit organization specialized in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their business. We offer a variety of services especially designed for Hispanic small business owners, to empower them through training, consulting, grants and access to capital.

Since we opened our doors in 2003, our innovative model of economic development through small business development has made Central Florida one of the best places in America to start and grow a small business.

Manufacturers Association of Central Florida (MACF) provides training, jobs, careers, and pathways for developing a skilled, talented workforce for our manufacturing partners.

GrowFL programs provide connections with other second-stage company leaders, resources, and organizations whose expertise, experience, and products lead to the second-stage company’s continued growth and prosperity. Second-stage growth companies have at least 6 employees and $750 thousand in revenue and possess the intent and desire to grow beyond second-stage.

Our mission is to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it. We support a 23-county Florida High Tech Corridor region with a high-wage, high-value economy that leads the nation and world in technology invention and innovation.

To serve citizens with respect, concern and professionalism;
To make complying with tax and child support laws easy and understandable;
To administer the laws fairly and consistently; and To provide excellent service efficiently and at the lowest possible cost.

In collaboration with our partners, DEO assists the Governor in advancing Florida’s economy by championing the state’s economic development vision and by administering state and federal programs and initiatives to help visitors, citizens, businesses, and communities.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is the agency charged with licensing and regulating businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, such as cosmetologists, veterinarians, real estate agents and pari-mutuel wagering facilities.

Throughout the Florida Chamber’s 100+ year history, its number one goal has been to encourage a business friendly climate that allows job creators to do what they do best – create private-sector jobs and contribute to Florida’s economy.

EFI is advancing the forefront of economic development in Florida. As a public-private partnership of business and government leaders, our goal is to promote Florida as a premier
business destination and expand the state’s economy through private-sector job creation.

The Division of Corporations is the State of Florida's official business entity index and commercial activity website.

Metrics to help secure Florida's future

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