If you need capital for start-up or expansion of your business, the following organizations and resources are able to assist you:

BusinessFundingResource.com A web site guide for local businesses and entrepreneurs to connect with sources of funding in our area   Website: www.BusinessFundingResource.com Contact    ( Email )

Community Entrepreneur Opportunity Program (CEO) Offers a business training program twice a year that provides core instruction to produce a business plan in class time. The program term is 3 months (3 hour classes for 12 weekly evenings)   Website: Contact    Dru Jones  ( Email ) Title:  Economic Development Coordinator Phone: 941 373 7780   Street Address 1782 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Way Sarasota, FL 34234

Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County Offers counseling/consulting, expansion assistance, economic information, business assistance, workforce assistance, and investment incentives   Website: http://www.edcsarasotacounty.com/ Contact    Nicholas Ladikos  ( Email ) Title:  Project Manager Phone: 941 309 1200 x207 Fax:  941 309 1209   Street Address 2601 Cattleman Road #201 Sarasota, FL 34232

Economic Development Council, Manatee Chamber of Commerce Offers counseling/consulting, expansion assistance, economic information, business assistance, workforce assistance, and investment incentives   Website: http://www.manateeedc.com/ Contact    Debbie Herkert  ( Email ) Title:  Industry Services/Workforce Manager Phone: 941 748 4842 x120 Fax:  941 750 6041   Street Address PO Box 321, 222 10th Street West Bradenton, FL 34206

Englewood-Cape Haze Area Chamber of Commerce Offers member services, economic information, business assistance, and networking opportunities   Website: http://www.englewoodchamber.com/ Contact    Karen Maurer  ( Email ) Title:  Executive Director Phone: 941 474 5511 Fax:  941 475 9257   Street Address 601 South Indiana Ave Englewood, FL 34223

Enterprise Florida Offers information & community profiles, site identification, business incentives, permitting assistance, and links to other resources   Website: http://www.eflorida.com/ Contact    Mickie Valente  ( Email ) Title:  Director Phone: 407 316 4578 Fax:  407 316 4599   Street Address 390 North Orange Ave, Suite 1300 Orlando, FL 32801

Florida Small Business Business information publication   Website: http://www.floridasmallbusiness.com/ Contact      Phone: 727 821 5800 Fax:  727 822 5083   Street Address 490 First Avenue South St.Petersburg, FL 33701

Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Offers counseling/consulting, expansion assistance, economic information, and business assistance   Website: http://www.sarasotachamber.org/ Contact    Steve Queior  ( Email ) Title:  President Phone: 941 955 8187 Fax:  941 366 5621   Street Address 1945 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34236

Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce Offers member services and networking opportunities   Website: http://www.latinchamber.org/ Contact    Jorge Chacon  ( Email ) Title:  Director Phone: 941 358 7065 Fax:  941 358 7584   Street Address 8051 N. Tamiami Trail, Suite 37 Sarasota, FL 34243

Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce Offers member services, networking opportunities, information, maps, brochures, and mentoring   Website: http://www.longboatkeychamber.com/ Contact    Gail Loefgren  ( Email ) Title:  President Phone: 941 383 2466 Fax:  941 383 8217   Street Address 6960 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228

Manatee Chamber of Commerce Offers counseling/consulting, expansion assistance, economic information, and business assistance   Website: http://www.manateechamber.com/ Contact    Bob Bartz  ( Email ) Title:  President Phone: 941 748 4842 Fax:  941 745 1877   Street Address 222 10th Street West Bradenton, FL 34206-0321

Newtown Business & Merchants Association Supports Newtown businesses and community through networking, educational or leadership business programs, and support   Website: N/A Contact    Dru Jones  ( Email ) Title:  Economic Development Coordinator Phone: 941 373 7780   Street Address 1782 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Way Sarasota, FL 34234

North Port Area Chamber of Commerce Offers counseling/consulting, member services, networking opportunities, and a Guide to Doing Business in North Port   Website: http://www.northportareachamber.com/ Contact    Pat Hodgkins  ( Email ) Title:  Director Phone: 941 423 5040 Fax:  941 423 5042   Street Address 15141 Tamiami Trail North Port, FL 34287 Sarasota county technical institute   Website: http://www.sarasotatech.org   Contact    Carol J. Darling  ( Email ) Title:  Assistant Director Phone: 941 924 1365 X62234   Street Address 4748 Beneva Road Sarasota, FL 34233

SBDC @ Manatee Community College Offers short-term non-credit courses, free business counseling, and contract training   Website: http://www.mccfl.edu/sbdc Contact    Eric Liguori  ( Email ) Title:  Certified Business Analyst Phone: 941 408 1412 Fax:  941 480 3156   Street Address 7131 Professional Parkway East Sarasota, FL 34240

SBDC @ University of South Florida Offers business counseling, entrepreneurial workshops and seminars, corporate training, and start-up resources for small business development   Website: www.Floridastartup.com Contact    Irene Hurst  ( Email ) Title:  Director Phone: 813 905 5800 Fax:  813 905 5801   Street Address 1101 Channelside Drive, Suite 210 Tampa, FL 33602

SCORE - Manasota Offers business counseling, workshops: one-on-one counseling or cyber counseling (online by e-mail) with experienced business executives and former business owners   Website: http://www.score-suncoast.org/ Contact    Edward Piekarz  ( Email ) Title:  Chapter Chairman Phone: 941 955 1029 Fax:  941 955 5581   Street Address 2801 Fruitville Road, Suite 280 Sarasota, FL 34237

Star Technology Enterprise Center STAR TEC services include affordable lease terms, shared equipment and meeting space, access to financial markets, administrative services and access to business professionals within the Tampa Bay region   Website: http://www.startecflorida.com/ Contact    Tonya Clark  ( Email ) Title:  Executive Director Phone: 727 549 6435 Fax:  727 549 6492   Street Address 7887 Bryan Dairy Road, Suite 220 Largo, FL 37777

Startup Florida Promotes the creation and acceleration of technology businesses by providing capital, mentoring and a supportive community for entrepreneurs   Website: http://www.startupflorida.com/ Contact    Dan Miller  ( Email ) Title:  Partner Phone: 941 556 0385   Street Address 1605 Main St Sarasota, FL 34236

Tampa Bay Technology Incubator Provides a single point of contact for businesses and entrepreneurs to access resources necessary for success: intellectual property, management expertise, capital partners and support services   Website: http://www.research.usf.edu/incubator/incubator.htm Contact    Wayne Brass  ( Email ) Title:  Director Phone: 813 974 7815 Fax:  813 974 8490   Street Address 4202 E. Fowler Ave, FAO 126 Tampa, FL 33620

U.S. Small Business Administration Offers small business assistance programs and financial assistance   Website: http://sba.gov/fl/south/ Contact      Phone: 305 536 5521 Fax:  305 536 5058   Street Address 100 S. Biscayne Blvd., 7th Floor Miami, FL 33131

Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Offers member services and networking opportunities   Website: http://www.venicechamber.com/ Contact    John Ryan  ( Email ) Title:  President & CEO Phone: 941 488 2236 Fax:  941 484 5903   Street Address 597 Tamiami Trail S Venice, FL 34285

Veteran's Business Outreach Center Offers business assistance for veterans with disabilities   Website: http://www.vboc.org/ Contact    Bob Waltz  ( Email ) Title:  Acting Director Phone: 800 542 7232 Fax:  850 271 1109   Street Address 2500 Minnesota Ave Lynn Haven, FL 32444