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BUSINESS
SmALL
SOUTH
FLORIDA
RESOURCE
Helping
Small Business
Start, Grow
and Succeed
PAGE
8 Getting Started In South Florida
PAGE
19 Getting Approved
PAGE
29 Government Contracting
WWW.SBA.GOV • YOU R SMALL B USI N ESS R ESOU RCE
contents
SMALL BUSINESS
PR
ublishing
ENI 150 Third Street, S.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33880-2907
Publishers of Small Business Resource
Advertising
Phone: 863-294-2812 • 800-274-2812
Fax: 863-299-3909 • www.sbaguides.com
Staff
2010-2011 SOUTH FLORIDA President/CEO
Joe Jensen jjensen@reni.net
FEATURES English Small Business Resource Advertising
Nicky Harvey nharvey@reni.net
4 Introduction 34 Disaster Recovery
Martha Theriault
John Beward
mtheriault@reni.net
jbeward@reni.net
• 4 Administrator’s Letter There are several types of
assistance available to
• 6 Director’s Message
qualified applicants.
8 Getting Started 35 Advocacy
SBA’s Marketing Office:
The Small Business Resource Guide is published
Find out about the outside under the direction of SBA’s Office of Marketing and
Everything you need to know
Customer Service.
about setting up, marketing research for the small business
owners. Director
and managing the revenue of
Laura Fox laura.fox@sba.gov
your business.
36 Other Sources of Editorial Content
Robert Dillier robert.dillier@sba.gov
Assistance
15 Regulations Chambers of Commerce can be
Graphic Design
Gary
Common requirements that a vital resource for the small Shellehamer gary.shellehamer@sba.gov
business owner.
affect small businesses. SBA’s participation in this publication is not an
endorsement of the views, opinions, products or
37 Lender Listing services of the contractor or any advertiser or other
19 Getting Approved participant appearing herein. All SBA programs and
services are extended to the public on a
Financing Options nondiscriminatory basis.
to Start or Grow Your Business. Printed in the United States of America
While every reasonable effort has been made to
ensure that the information contained herein was
29 Contracting Opportunities accurate as of the date of publication, the information
is subject to change without notice. Neither the
SBA is working to ensure small contractor, the federal government, or agents thereof
businesses obtain fair share of shall be held liable for any damages arising from the
government contracts and use of or reliance on the information contained in this
publication.
subcontracts with a number
of programs.
“Everything you need to know SBA Publication # MCS-0018
This publication is provided under SBA Contract
about setting up, marketing # SBAHQ05C0014.
and managing the revenue of
your business. ”
5
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
Ways To Evaluate Your
Strengths and Weaknesses
Page 9
SOUTH FLORIDA Small Business Resource — 3
The U.S. Small Business Administration
FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR
ith the help of the SBA, In addition to the helpful information contained in
W
America’s small businesses
continue to grow, create
jobs and drive our economy
this guide, I encourage you to be part of our growing
online community. Not only are we redesigning our
website (www.sba.gov) to be a more helpful and
forward. This booklet has user-friendly resource, but we also post frequent
everything you need to know updates on our Facebook (facebook.com/sbagov),
about the tools and resources we Twitter (twitter.com/sbagov) and Youtube
have to offer: from getting an SBA (youtube.com/sba) sites. Through these social media
loan, to securing a federal tools, we want to be more directly engaged in a
contract, to using our extensive network of 14,000 strong, ongoing dialogue with each of you.
SBA-affiliated counselors. We call this the SBA’s
“three Cs” of capital, contracts and counseling. With your help, we can make sure the SBA is
meeting its mission and we can make sure that small
This past year, we’ve been very busy in all of these business will continue to grow and lead America to
areas. Through the Recovery Act, we helped put economic recovery, as they’ve done throughout our
nearly $30 billion in lending support in the hands of nation’s history.
about 70,000 small business owners. The Recovery
Act has also driven more than $9 billion in federal If you have any questions that aren’t answered in this
contracts to small businesses. And our counselors guide, please go to our website or call or walk in to
continue to serve well over a million clients each year your local district office. We stand ready to help you
– from entrepreneurs who are writing their first in whatever way we can.
business plan to mature small businesses that are
reinventing themselves in a tough economy. Warm regards,
And this work is crucial, because we know that about
two of every three jobs created in America each year Karen G. Mills
come from small businesses, and more than half of Administrator
working Americans either own or work for a small Small Business Administration
business.
About the SBA
www.sba.gov
Your Small Business Resource
Every day, the U.S. Small Business Administration and its nationwide • Growing a Business
network of partners help millions of potential and current small • Opportunities in Contracting
business owners start, grow and succeed. • Recovering From Disaster
• A Voice for Small Business in Government
Resources and programs targeting small businesses provide an
advantage necessary to help small businesses effectively compete in Visit SBA online at www.sba.gov for 24/7 access to small business
the marketplace and strengthen the overall U.S. economy. news, information and training for entrepreneurs.
SBA offers help in the following areas: All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory
• Starting a Business basis.
• Financing a Business
4 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
Message From The District Director
SOUTH FLORIDA
SBA Staff Listing
We Are Here
www.sba.gov/fl/south
Telephone Numbers:
To Help You
Main Reception Desk: 305-536-5521, Ext. 102 or 0
Toll Free: 800-733-2894, Ext. 1
ou are now reading the one As your business grows, I hope you will
Y publication I am certain will have a use the many no-cost, high-quality programs
Fax Numbers:
Main: 305-536-5058 tremendous impact on the success of and services SBA offers to small business
Lender Relations: 305-536-5579 your entrepreneurial experience. owners. Our resource partners, SCORE--
Executive Direction: 305-536-7566 Thank you for this opportunity to Counselors to America’s Small Business, the
introduce you to the U.S. Small Business Florida Small Business Development Center
NAME EXT. DEPT. Administration’s financial, procurement and Network (FSBDCN), and the Women’s
Campbell, Jeffery 156 8(a) Business Dev. Spec. technical assistance programs and services in Business Centers, counseled and trained
Carrion, Gwendolyn 130 8(a) Business Dev. Spec. South Florida. thousands of people last year. Our programs
Colón, Gilbert 147 Deputy District Director SBA has one goal: to help entrepreneurs have proven value. I hope you will include SBA
Dunn, John 140 Assistant District Director/ start and expand successful businesses. The in your plans for success.
Lender Relations SBA is a federal agency chartered by the U.S. Contact us today and find out how we
Estevez, Manuel 110 Program Support Asst./ Congress to preserve and stimulate free can assist you. Additionally, the SBA's Website,
Lender Relations enterprise in order to maintain and strengthen www.sba.gov is a great source for valuable
Gonzalez, Miguel 141 Asst. District Director/ the national economy. Our objective is clear online resources as well as for more
Customer Service and we take our responsibilities very seriously. information about who we are and what we
Harris, Althea 152 Assistant District Director/ Please take the time to acquaint yourself with do. Keep a copy of the 2011 South Florida
M&O Area 1 SBA’s services and use them to ensure your Small Business Resource Guide handy and
Horner, Eve 139 8(a) Business Dev. Spec. success in business. share the information with other
Johnson, Ralph 132 Program Support Asst./ The South Florida Small Business entrepreneurs. I wish you success.
Admin. Services Resource Guide provides practical information
Liu, Carlos 119 8(a) Business Dev. Spec. and lists resources that will help you start and Sincerely,
Long, Charles 142 Lender Relations Spec. build your business. Through our resource
Marrero, Francisco (Pancho) 118 District Director
partners, SBA can help you develop a viable
Negroni, Jose 154 Lender Relations Spec.
business plan, obtain financing on competitive
Perez-Velazquez, Maritza 102 Program Support Assist./
terms, or develop a marketing strategy for your Francisco “Pancho” A. Marrero
Customer Service
Rackear, Nancy 104 Public Information Officer
product or service in the national and
District Director of
Rubio, Ilene 137 Assistant District Director/ international market place. SBA's South Florida District Office
8(a) Business Dev.
Suarez, Aimee 131 8(a) Business Dev. Spec.
Velasco, Frank 122 8(a) Business Dev. Spec.
Ft. Pierce AWS Site (Area 2)
Gallman, Tom 772-466-1944 Assistant District Director/
M&O Area 2
LoPresti, Vincent 772-466-3176 Area Manager South Florida District Counties
Tampa AWS Site (Area 3)
Chavarria, Robert 813-228-2103 Assistant District Director/
Brevard Manatee
M&O Area 3 Broward Martin
Hein, Jonel 813-228-2103 Asst. District Director/ Charlotte Miami-Dade
Admin. Services
Collier Monroe
Co-Located SBA Employees
Barbeite, Javier 112 Field Information
DeSoto Okeechobee
Tech. Specialist Glades Osceola
Braverman, Richard 136 District Attorney Hardee Palm Beach
Cook, Linda 124 Team Leader,
Litigation Unit
Hendry Pasco
Giddens, Traci 115 Program Analyst, OSBDC Highlands Pinellas
Goldman, Audrey 114 Attorney, Litigation Unit Hillsborough Polk
Marshall, Loretta 144 Paralegal, Litigation Unit
Nirk, Scott 158 Procurement Center Rep. Indian River St. Lucie
Rosenfeld, Susan 111 District Counsel Lee Sarasota
6 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
The SBA helps business
Doing Business in South Florida
owners grow and expand
their businesses every day.
Women's Business Centers (WBC). They
also conduct high-quality training events
throughout the district; some require a
nominal registration fee.
Assistance to businesses owned and
controlled by socially and economically
disadvantaged individuals is available
through the Business Development
Program.
A Women's Business Ownership
Representative is available to assist
women business owners. Please contact
Althea Harris at 305-536-5521 ext. 152 or
e-mail: althea.harris@sba.gov.
Special loan programs are available for
businesses involved in international
trade.
A Veterans Affairs Officer is available to
assist veterans. Please contact Robert
THE SOUTH FLORIDA DISTRICT OFFICE financing, please contact John Dunn at
Chavarria at 813-228-2100 or e-mail:
The South Florida District Office is 305-536-5521 ext. 140 or e-mail:
robert.chavarria@sba.gov.
responsible for the delivery of SBA's john.dunn@sba.gov.
many programs and services. The District
Director is Francisco “Pancho” A. SERVICES AVAILABLE
Marrero. The District Office is located at Financial assistance for new and existing
100 S. Biscayne Boulevard, 7th Floor, businesses is available through
Miami, FL. Office hours are from 8:00 guaranteed loans made by area bank and
AM until 4:30 PM, Monday through non-bank lenders.
Friday, except Federal Holidays.
Free counseling, advice and information
CONTACTING THE SOUTH FLORIDA on starting, better operating or expanding
DISTRICT OFFICE a small business is available through
SCORE-- Counselors to America’s Small
For program and service information,
Business, Florida Small Business
please contact the Information Desk at
Development Centers (SBDC) and
305-536-5521 ext. 102. For information on
We Welcome Your 2 Alternate Work Sites: Service Area 1 / Miami
Questions Counties served: Broward, Collier,
U.S. Small Business Administration Hendry, Lee, Miami-Dade and Monroe.
For extra copies of this publication or 7402 N. 56 Street
questions please contact: Building 400, Suite 475 Service Area 2 / Ft. Pierce AWS
Tampa, FL 33617 Counties served: Brevard, Glades,
South Florida District Office
100 S. Biscayne Boulevard, 7th Floor Highlands, Indian River, Martin,
Tel.: 813-228-2100 Fax: 813-228-2114
Miami, FL 33131-2011 Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach and
St. Lucie.
Tel.: 305-536-5521 Fax: 305-536-5058 U.S. Small Business Administration
505 South 2nd Street, Service Area 3 / Tampa AWS
Website: www.sba.gov/fl/south Suite 225 Counties served: Charlotte, Desota,
Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco,
Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota.
Tel.: 772-466-1944 Fax: 772-466-6580
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 7
INTRODUCTION
GETTING STARTED
The SBA Can Help You Start And Expand Your Business
Businesses, approximately 900 Small
Business Development Centers,
approximately 110 Women’s Business
Centers and 16 Veterans Business
Outreach Centers located across the
country. More information about
SCORE, SBDCs, WBCs and VBOCs is
detailed at: www.sba.gov/services.
These professionals can also help with
writing a formal business plan, locating
sources of financial assistance, managing
and expanding your business, finding
opportunities to sell your goods or
services to the government, and
recovering from disaster.
sba’s resource partners
score
very day, the U.S. Small Key Features of the SBTN: SCORE is a national network of more
E Business Administration and • Training is available anytime and than 12,000 entrepreneurs, business
anywhere—all you need is a computer leaders and executives who volunteer as
its nationwide network of
with Internet access. mentors to America’s small business.
resource partners help
• More than 23 free online courses and SCORE helps entrepreneurs start
millions of potential and workshops available businesses, grow companies and create
current small business owners start, • Online, interactive assessment tools are jobs in local communities.
grow and succeed. featured and used to direct clients to SCORE matches you with a mentor
Whether your target market is global appropriate training. whose personality and skills are a good
or just your neighborhood, the SBA and Course topics include a financial fit for your business needs. Whether you
its resource partners can help at every primer keyed around SBA’s loan- are a start-up business or growing
stage of turning your entrepreneurial guaranty programs, a course on company, you can meet with a mentor
dream into a thriving business. exporting, and courses for veterans and for free and confidential advice.
If you’re just starting, the SBA and its women’s contracting as well as an online SCORE mentors are part of your local
resources can help you with loans and library of business publications and community. The volunteer experts
business management skills. If you’re articles. understand local business licensing
already in business, you can use the Find the SBTN at: www.sba.gov/training. rules, economic conditions and lending
SBA’s resources to help manage and standards. You will find a SCORE office
expand your business, obtain Where To Go To Get Started in your community and often a location
government contracts, recover from Our resources include the SBA’s at your local Chamber of Commerce,
disaster, find foreign markets, and make district offices serving every state and bank or SBA office.’
your voice heard in the federal territory, nearly 400 chapters of SCORE SCORE mentoring is available at 364
government. – Counselors to America’s Small offices nationwide. SCORE offers local
You can access SBA help online 24 small business workshops at modest fees
hours a day at www.sba.gov or visit one
• You get to be your own boss.
of our local offices for assistance.
SBA’s Online Training
ON THE UPSIDE • Hard work and long hours directly benefit you, rather
than increasing profits for someone else.
SBA’s Small Business Training It’s true, there are a lot of • A new venture is exciting.
Network is an Internet-based training reasons not to start your own
site. It provides small businesses with business. But for the right • Earnings and growth potential are unlimited.
free online courses, workshops, learning person, the advantages of
tools and business-readiness business owner-ship far • Running a business will provide endless
variety, challenge and opportunities to learn.
assessments. outweigh the risks.
8 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
on popular topics such as increasing Area 2 – SCORE Chapters
EVALUATE sales, managing cash flow and
marketing your business.
Brevard, Glades, Highlands, Indian River,
Martin, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach,
St. Lucie
SCORE has helped more than 8.5
Start by evaluating your million entrepreneurs nationwide. You South Palm Beach County SCORE #412
can count on SCORE as a trusted 7999 N. Federal Hwy., Ste. 201
strengths and weaknesses resource to offer in-depth mentoring,
sound advice and guidance to tools and
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-981-5180 • 561-981-5391 Fax
resources that can help you succeed as a info@scoresouthflorida.org
business owner. www.scoresouthflorida.org
For 24/7 access to advice and online
webinars on topics such as starting, Palm Beach SCORE #224
500 Australian Ave. S., Ste. 115
1. Are you a self-starter? growing, marketing and e-commerce for West Palm Beach, FL 33401
It will be up to you – not small business, visit SCORE online. 561-833-1672 • 561-833-1470 Fax
someone else telling you – to With expertise in more than 600 skill wpbscore@us-it.net
areas, you can find a SCORE mentor www.wpbscore.org
develop projects, organize your online at www.score.org or at one of Counties served: Palm Beach
time and follow through on SCORE’s offices. Call 1-800-634-0245
details. for the office nearest you. Treasure Coast SCORE #308
3220 U.S. Hwy. 1, Ste. 2
Area 1 – SCORE Chapters Ft. Pierce, FL 34952
2. How well do you get along Broward, Collier, Hendry, Lee,
772-489-0548 • 772-489-9548 Fax
with different personalities? score308@bellsouth.net
Miami-Dade
www.score308.com
Business owners need to develop
Miami-Dade/Monroe SCORE #29
working relationships with a 175 S.W. 7th St., Ste. 1921
Space Coast SCORE #400
variety of people including Ralph Perers, Chairperson
Miami, FL 33130
Melbourne Professional Complex
customers, vendors, staff, 786-425-9119
1600 Sarno Rd., Ste. 205
admin@scoremiami.org
bankers, lawyers, accountants and www.scoremiami.org
Melbourne, FL 32935
consultants. Can you deal with a 321-254-2288 • 321-254-2288 Fax
Counties served: Miami-Dade & Monroe
scorechapter400@bellsouth.net
demanding client, an unreliable www.spacecoastscore.org
vendor or a cranky staff person? Broward County SCORE #17
299 E. Broward Blvd., Rm. 123
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Area 3 – SCORE Chapters
Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough,
3. How good are you at making 954-356-7263 • 954-356-7145 Fax
Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota
mail@browardscore.org
decisions? www.score17.org
Small business owners are Counties served: Broward
Pinellas/Suncoast SCORE #115
Airport Business Center #311
required to make decisions 4707 140th Ave. N.
South Broward/North Miami
constantly, often quickly, under SCORE #235 Clearwater, FL 33762
pressure. 727-532-6800 • 727-532-6800 Fax
3475 Sheridan St., Ste. 203
score@scorepinellas.org
Hollywood, FL 33021
www.scorepinellas.org
954-966-8415 • 954-966-2313 Fax
4. Do you have the physical and info@scorehollywoodfl.org
emotional stamina to run a www.scorehollywoodfl.org
Manasota SCORE #116
2801 Fruitville Rd., #280
business? Counties served: South Broward & North
Sarasota, FL 34237
Miami-Dade
Business ownership can be 941-955-1029 • 941-955-5581 Fax
challenging, fun and exciting. But Naples/Collier SCORE #573 info@score-suncoast.org
www.score-suncoast.org
it’s also a lot of hard work. Can Fifth Third Bank Bldg
900 Goodlette Rd. N.
you face 12-hour workdays six or Naples, FL 34102
Central Florida SCORE #122
seven days a week? 5410 S. Florida Ave., #3
239-430-0081 • 239-430-0082 Fax
Lakeland, FL 33813
score@scorenaples.org
863-619-5783
www.scorenaples.org
5. How well do you plan and Counities served: Collier & Monroe
score122@verizon.net
organize? www.centralfloridascore.org
Research indicates many Southwest Florida SCORE Chapter #219
Social Security Bldg.
Hillsborough SCORE #203
business failures could have been 3650 Colonial Blvd., Ste. 231
Corp. Square, Bldg. 400, #425
avoided through better planning. 7402 N. 56th St.
Fort Myers, FL 33966
Tampa, FL 33617
Good organization – of financials, 239-489-2935 • 239-489-1170 Fax
813-988-1435 • 813-914-4027 Fax
score219@embarqmail.com
inventory, schedules, production www.score219.org
counselor@tampascore.org
– can help avoid pitfalls. www.tampascore.org
Counties served: Lee
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 9
For ALL Your Franchising
Needs
Go To:
www.franmarket.com
businesses in turn advance local and
regional economic development through
the generation of business revenues, job
creation and job retention. In fiscal 2010,
SBDC business advisors helped more
Charlotte/Desoto SCORE #318 those receiving 5 hours or more of than 12,500 entrepreneurs start new
1777 Tamiami Tr., Ste. 411 counseling, reported an increase in sales businesses or approximately 34 new
Port Charlotte, FL 33948 and 32 percent of long term clients businesses starts per day.
941-743-6179
reported an increase in profit margins. The SBDC network provided
info@charlottedesotoscore.org counseling services to approximately
www.charlottedesotoscore.org SBDC counseling generally consists of
assistance with business plans, access to 106,000 nascent entrepreneurs,
Counties Served: Charlotte & Desoto
capital, franchising, manufacturing, approximately 123,000 existing
Pasco/Hernando County SCORE #439 international trade, high-tech endeavors, businesses and training services to
6014 U.S. Hwy. 19, #302 contracting, energy efficiency, approximately 360,000 clients in fiscal
New Port Richey, FL 34652
marketing, and other subjects. SBDC 2010.
727-842-4638 • 727-842-4766 Fax
training is geared toward the needs of In fiscal 2009, SBDC clients acquired
score439@verizon.net
the local business community, focusing loans, venture capital and the infusion of
www.score439.org equity totaling $3.5 billion, an amount
Counties served: Hernando & Pasco on the fundamentals required to start,
on par with the $3.6 billion SBDC clients
purchase, operate and grow a small
obtained in fiscal 2008. While SBDC
small business business.
Particular emphasis in the SBDC
clients accounted for approximately 5
Development centers program includes green business
percent of the SBA's 7(a) and 504 loan
approvals, more than 80 percent of
The Small Business Development technology, disaster recovery and
SBDC clients were able to acquire
Center Program has been vital to SBA’s preparedness, importing and exporting,
capital from banks and conventional
entrepreneurial outreach for more than electronic commerce, technology transfer
lenders as well as angel investors and
25 years. It has become one of the and regulatory compliance. The SBDC venture capitalists.
largest professional small business programs also promote green buildings For information on the SBDC
management and technical assistance and green job growth, provide assistance Program, click on:
networks in the nation. With more than to veterans and communities affected by www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sba programs/sbdc/
900 locations across the country, SBDCs defense cutbacks, and reach out to index.html.
offer existing and future entrepreneurs communities that have been negatively
free one-to-one expert business advice affected by industry cutbacks, closures or Area 1
and low-cost trainings. All counseling natural disasters. (Broward, Collier,Hendry, Lee, Miami-Dade,
and training sessions are conducted by During the past quarter century, Monroe)
qualified small business professionals through a unique mix of federal funding
and are offered both in person and along with matching state and private SBDC Miami-Dade
Carlos Cardenas, Regional Director
online. sector resources, the program has Festival Plaza, 8500 S.W. 8th St., Ste. 224
A nationwide study of the impact of increased its return on investment. Miami, FL 33144-4002
the SBDC Program (2008-2009) Through federal grants, the SBDCs in 305-261-1638 • 305-264-3567 Fax
highlights the results of SBDC every state and territory provide the sbdc-miami@floridasbdc.org
assistance. The study illustrates the foundation for the economic growth of www.floridasbdc.org/miami-dade
significance of the SBDC program's focus small businesses. These small
on establishing long-term counseling
relationships with clients. Of the clients
surveyed, more than 80 percent reported • Faster, better search capabilities
that the information they received from
their SBDC counselor was valuable.
SBA’S WEBSITE • Information tailored to your needs
Similarly, more than 50 percent reported • News about SBA programs & services
Watch for the SBA’s Improved
that SBDC assistance was useful with Website Soon, Featuring:
the decision to start a business. More Some pages may change URLs on the upgraded site. Please
than 40 percent of long-term clients, consult www.sba.gov or your local SBA district office for
assistance.
10 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
SBDC Broward County SBDC at USF - St. Petersburg
Rafael Cruz, Regional Director
Reubin O'D. Askew Tower, Rm. 525
111 E. Las Olas Blvd.
WEBSITE Wayne Brass, Certified Business Analyst
College of Business
140 7th Ave. S., DAV 108D
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301-2206 Business plan help St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5016
954-762-5235 727-873-4753
sbdc-broward@floridasbdc.org Find your nearest SCORE chapter at: rwbrass@usf.edu
www.floridasbdc.org/broward www.score.org. www.SBDCtampabay.com
For business plan help at the SCORE
SBDC Key West Website, click on “Business Tools” SBDC at Central Florida Development
Greg Baumann, Certified Business Analyst Council (Polk County)
Florida Keys Community College from the left-hand menu, then click Doretha Brooks, Director
5901 College Rd., Ste. C-226 on “Template Gallery.” PSC/USF Polytechnic
Key West, FL 33040-4315 3433 Winter Lake Rd., Modular-LMC
305-809-3156 • 305-393-1713 Fax You can find the nearest VBOC at: Lakeland, FL 33803-9807
greg.baumann@floridasbdc.org www.sba.gov/vets. 863-667-7913 • 863-667-7911 Fax
www.floridasbdc.org/key-west info@polksbdc.org
www.polksbdc.org
SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University To find WBCs, click on:
Dan Regelski, Regional Director www.sba.gov/services/ and choose SBDC at State College of Florida
FGCU, CLI, Lutgert COB, Unit 2320 “Women’s Business Centers” from the Manatee - Sarasota
10501 FGCU Blvd. S. “Counseling and Assistance” heading Carolyn Griffin, Assistant Director
Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565 Business Resource Center
239-745-3700 • 239-745-3710 Fax
at the bottom. 8000 Tamiami Tr. S.
avholmes@fgcu.edu Venice, FL 34293-5113
http://cli.fgcu.edu/sbdc You can also find business-plan help 941-408-1412 • 941-497-6433 Fax
on the SBA’s Web site at: baxterl@scf.edu
SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University http://www.sba.gov/smallbusiness www.scf.edu/sdbc
Julio Estremera, Certified Business Analyst planner/ then choose “Writing a
Career Service Center of Collier County SBDC at State College of Florida
750 S. 5th St., Ste. 710 Business Plan” from the “Plan Your Manatee - Sarasota
Immokalee, FL 34142-4301 Business” menu along the bottom. Arthur Mahoney, Certified Business Analyst
239-658-3327 • 239-658-3355 Fax Lakewood Ranch
jestreme@fgcu.edu SBDC at the University of South Florida 7131 Professional Pkwy. E.
http://cli.fgcu.edu/sbdc Sarasota, FL 34240-8453
David Noel, Certified Business Analyst
941-363-7219 • 941-373-7795 Fax
South Florida Community College
SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University 600 W. College Dr., Bldg. T
baxterl@scf.edu
Robert Smoot, Certified Business Analyst www.scf.edu/sbdc
Avon Park, FL 33825-9356
1020 Cultural Park Blvd., Unit 3
863-784-7378 • 863-784-7355 Fax
Cape Coral, FL 33990-1229
davidnoel@usf.edu
SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University
239-573-2737 • 239-573-2797 Fax Peter Keating, Certified Business Analyst
www.southflorida.edu/sbdc
bsmoot@fgcu.edu Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce
http://cli.fgcu.edu/sbdc SBDC at Indiana River State College 2702 Tamiami Tr.
Port Charlotte, FL 33952-5129
Area 2 Donna Rivett, Regional Director
941-627-2222 • 941-639-6330 Fax
(Brevard, Glades, Highlands, Indian River, 3209 Virginia Ave., Bldg. E, Rm. 123
plkeating3@embarqmail.com
Martin, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Ft. Pierce, FL 34981-5596
http://cli.fgcu.edu/sbdc
St. Lucie) 772-462-7296 or 888-283-1177
772-462-7843 Fax
sbdc-irsc@floridasbdc.org
SBDC at the University of South Florida
SBDC at Palm Beach State College Learline Shortyi, Certified Business Analyst
Ted Kramer, Regional Director www.sbdc-irsc.com
7402 N. 56th St., Ste. 425, Bldg. 400
3000 Saint Lucie Ave, Ste. AD 408 Temple Terrace, FL 33617-7743
Boca Raton, FL 33431 SBDC at Indian River State College
813-914-4028 • 813-914-4027 Fax
561-862-4726 • 561-862-4727 Fax Jack Burns, Certified Business Analyst
sbdc@coba.usf.edu
sbdc@palmbeachstate.edu IRSC Business Incubator
www.sbdctampabay.com
www.palmbeachstate.edu/sbdc.xml 924 S.E. Central Pkwy.
Stuart, FL 34994-3997
State Director's Office
SBDC at the University of Central Florida 772-419-5694 • 772-283-1981 Fax
Jerry Cartwright, State Director
Gene Romagna, Area Manager sbdc-irsc@floridasbdc.org
11000 University Pkwy., Bldg. 38
Lake Sumter Community College www.sbdc-irsc.com
Pensacola, FL 32514-5750
1250 N. Hancock Rd., Rm. 106, Bldg. 1
850-473-7800 or Suncom 680-7800
Clermont, FL 34711-5931 Area 3
850-473-7813 Fax
352-536-2224 (Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough,
info@floridasbdc.org
gromagna@bus.ucf.edu Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota)
www.FloridaSBDC.org
www.sbdcorlando.com
SBDC at the University of South Florida
SBDC at Brevard Community College
Victoria Peake, Director
Eileen Rodriguez, Regional Director
1101 Channelside Dr., Ste. 210
Women’s business centers
3865 N. Wickham Rd., Rm. 122, Bldg. 10 Tampa, FL 33602-3613 The SBA’s Women Business Center
Melbourne, FL 32935-2310 813-905-5800 • 813-905-5801 Fax Program is a network of approximately
321-433-5570 • 321-433-5708 Fax sbdc@coba.usf.edu 110 community-based centers which
pfrimmers@brevardcc.edu www.SBDCtampabay.com provide business training, counseling,
www.bcctraining.com
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 11
mentoring and other assistance geared • How good are you at making
toward women, particularly those who decisions? Small business owners are
are socially and economically required to make decisions constantly -
disadvantaged. WBCs are located in often quickly, independently, and
under pressure.
nearly every state and U.S. territory and
• Do you have the physical and
are partially funded through a emotional stamina to run a business?
cooperative agreement with the SBA. Business ownership can be exciting,
To meet the needs of women but it's also a lot of work. Can you face
entrepreneurs, the WBCs offer services six or seven 12–hour workdays every
at convenient times and locations, week?
including weekends. Some offer child • How well do you plan and organize?
care during training and many provide Research indicates that poor planning
assistance and materials in different is responsible for most business
languages, depending on the needs of failures. Good organization — of
financials, inventory, schedules, and
the individual communities they serve.
production — can help you avoid many
In fiscal 2009, the WBC Program pitfalls.
counseled and trained more than • Is your drive strong enough? Running
155,000 clients,creating local economic a business can wear you down
growth and vitality. emotionally. Some business owners
WBC training courses are often free or burn out quickly from having to carry
are offered at a small fee with all the responsibility for the success of
scholarships often available to those who their business on their own shoulders.
need them. A number of WBCs also are You riGHt For small Strong motivation will help you
survive slowdowns and periods of
provide courses and counseling via the business oWnersHip? burnout.
Internet, mobile classrooms and satellite Most new business owners who • How will the business affect your
locations. succeed have planned for every phase of family? The first few years of business
To find the nearest SBA WBC or to their success. Thomas Edison, the great start-up can be hard on family life. It's
learn more about SBA programs and important for family members to know
American inventor, once said, “Genius is
services, visit the SBA’s Web site what to expect and for you to be able to
1 percent inspiration and 99 percent trust that they will support you during
http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/document
perspiration.” That same philosophy also this time. There also may be financial
s/sba_program_office/sba_ro_do_wbc.pdf.
applies to starting a business. difficulties until the business becomes
Florida Women’s Business Center First, you’ll need to generate a little profitable, which could take months or
Jennifer Kovach, Director bit of perspiration deciding whether years. You may have to adjust to a
401 W. Atlantic Ave., Ste. 09 you’re the right type of person to start lower standard of living or put family
assets at risk.
Delray Beach, FL 33444 your own business.
866-353-3790 ext. 113 Toll Free Once you’ve answered those questions,
561-265-0806 Fax you should consider what type of
jennifer@flwbc.org is entrepreneursHip For business you want to start. Businesses
www.flwbc.org
Serving 18 Counties: Broward, Charlotte, You? can include franchises, at-home
businesses, Web-based businesses or
Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, In business, there are no guarantees.
brick-and-mortar stores.
Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, There is simply no way to eliminate all
Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, the risks associated with starting a
Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Sarasota. small business - but you can improve FrancHisinG
your chances of success with good There are more than 3,000 business
Satellite Office: Broward County
330 N. Federal Hwy. planning, preparation, and insight. Start franchises. The challenge is to decide on
Hollywood, FL 33020 by evaluating your strengths and one that both interests you and is a good
954-923-4000 weaknesses as a potential owner and investment. Many franchising experts
manager of a small business. Carefully suggest that you comparison shop by
Satellite Office: Lee County consider each of the following questions: looking at multiple franchise
3903 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. • Are you a self-starter? It will be opportunities before deciding on the one
Fort Myers, FL 33916 entirely up to you to develop projects, that's right for you.
239-321-7086 organize your time, and follow through Some of the things you should look at
on details. when evaluating a franchise:
Women’s Business Center at Florida Tech • How well do you get along with profitability, effective financial
Donn E. Miller-Kermani, Director different personalities? Business own- management and other controls, a good
150 W. University Blvd. ers need to develop working
Melbournc, FL 32901 image, integrity and commitment, and a
relationships with a variety of people
321-674-7006 • 321-674-7008 Fax including customers, vendors, staff,
successful industry.
dkermani@fit.edu bankers, and professionals such as In the simplest form of franchising,
wbc.fit.edu lawyers, accountants, or consultants. while you own the business, its
Can you deal with a demanding client, operation is governed by the terms of the
an unreliable vendor, or a cranky franchise agreement. For many, this is
receptionist if your business interests the chief benefit for franchising. You are
demand it? able to capitalize on a business format,
12 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
trade name, trademark and/or support • Can I identify and describe the good advice. The SBA and its resource
system provided by the franchisor. But business I want to establish? partners, including Small Business
• Can I identify my business product or
you operate as an independent service? Development Centers, Veterans
contractor with the ability to make a • Is there a demand for that product or Business Outreach Centers, SCORE and
profit or sustain a loss commensurate service? Women’s Business Centers, have the
with your ownership. • Can I successfully run the business expertise to help you craft a winning
If you are concerned about starting an from home?
business plan.
independent business venture, then In general, a good business plan
franchising may be an option for you.
Legal Requirements
A home-based business is subject to contains:
Remember that hard work, dedication
many of the same laws and regulations Introduction
and sacrifice are key elements in the
affecting other businesses. • Give a detailed description of the
success of any business venture,
Some general areas include: business and its goals.
including a franchise.
• Zoning regulations. If your business • Discuss ownership of the business and
For more information visit the SBA its legal structure.
operates in violation of them, you could
Web site at: http://www.sba.gov/small • List the skills and experience you
be fined or shut down.
businessplanner/start/ and click on “Buy a • Product restrictions. Certain products bring to the business.
Franchise” from the menu on the right cannot be produced in the home. Most • Discuss the advantages you and your
side or call your local SBA office. states outlaw home production of business have over competitors.
fireworks, drugs, poisons, explosives,
Home-baseD businesses sanitary or medical products and toys.
Marketing
• Discuss the products and services your
Going to work used to mean traveling Some states also prohibit home-based
company will offer.
businesses from making food, drink or
from home to a plant, store or office. • Identify customer demand for your
clothing. products and services.
Today, many people do some or all their
work at home. Be sure to consult an attorney and • Identify your market, its size and
Garages, basements and attics are your local and state departments of locations.
being transformed into the corporate state, labor and health to find out which • Explain how your products and
laws and regulations will affect your services will be advertised and
headquarters of the newest marketed.
entrepreneurs – home-based business business. Additionally, check on
registration and accounting • Explain your pricing strategy.
owners.
requirements needed to open your home-
Financial Management
Getting Started based business. You may need a work • Develop an expected return on
Before diving headfirst into a home- certificate or license from the state. investment and monthly cash flow for
based business, you must know why you Your business name may need to be the first year.
are doing it. To succeed, your business registered with the state. A separate • Provide projected income statements,
must be based on something greater business telephone and bank account are and balance sheets for a two-year
than a desire to be your own boss. You good business practices. period.
• Discuss your break-even point.
must plan and make improvements and Also remember, if you have employees
• Explain your personal balance sheet
adjustments along the road. you are responsible for withholding and method of compensation.
Working under the same roof where income and social-security taxes, and for • Discuss who will maintain your
your family lives may not prove to be as complying with minimum wage and accounting records and how they will
easy as it seems. It’s important to work employee health and safety laws. be kept.
in a professional environment. One If you’re convinced that opening a • Provide “what if” statements
suggestion is to set up a separate office home-based business is for you, it’s time addressing alternative approaches to
in your home to create this professional potential problems.
to create your business plan. The SBA
environment. and its resource partners, such as Operations
Ask yourself these questions – and SCORE, SBDCs, VBOCs and WBCs can • Explain how the business will be
remember, there are no best or right help make the process easier. managed day-to-day.
reasons for starting a home-based • Discuss hiring and personnel
business. But it is important to procedures.
understand what the venture involves: WritinG a business plan • Discuss insurance, lease or rent
• Can I switch from home responsibilities After you’ve thought about what type agreements, and issues pertinent to
to business work? of business you want, the next step is to your business.
• Do I have the self-discipline to • Account for the equipment necessary
maintain schedules? develop a business plan. Think of the
to produce your goods or services.
• Can I deal with the isolation of business plan as a roadmap with
• Account for production and delivery of
working from home? milestones for the business. It begins as products and services.
• Am I a self-starter? a pre-assessment tool to determine
profitability and market share, then Concluding Statement
Finding Your Niche expands as an in-business assessment
Choosing a home business must be Summarize your business goals and
tool to determine success, obtain objectives and express your
approached carefully. financing and determine repayment commitment to the success of your
ability, among other factors. business. Once you have completed
Ask yourself:
• Does my home have the space for a Creating a comprehensive business your business plan, review it with a
business? plan can be a long process, and you need
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA Small Business Resource — 13
friend or business associate and
professional business counselor like
veterans anD reservists Disaster Loan Program provides loans
up to $2 million to eligible small
SCORE or SBDC representatives, SBA business Development businesses to cover operating costs that
district office business development The SBA offers a variety of services to cannot be met due to the loss of an
specialists or veterans business American veterans who have made or essential employee called to active duty
development specialists. are seeking to make the transition from in the Reserves or National Guard.
Remember, the business plan is a service member to small business owner. Small businesses may apply for
flexible document that should change Each of SBA's 68 district offices has MREIDLs of up to $2 million if they
as your business grows. designated a veterans business have been financially impacted by the
development officer to help veterans loss of an essential employee. The SBA
reacHinG unDerserveD prepare, plan and succeed in
entrepreneurship.
has created a special Web page
specifically for Reserve and Guard
auDiences members at: http://www.sba.gov/
Women business owners Veterans Business Outreach aboutsba/sbaprograms/reservists/index.html.
Women entrepreneurs are changing Centers To ensure that veterans, service-
the face of America's economy. In the Sixteen Veterans Business Outreach disabled veterans and Reserve and
1970s, women owned less than five Centers located in California, Florida, National Guard member entrepreneurs
percent of the nation’s businesses. Guam, Louisiana, Massachusetts, receive special consideration in all its
Today, they are majority owners of about Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New entrepreneurial programs and resources,
a third of the nation’s small businesses Mexico, New York, North Carolina, the SBA has established an Office of
and are at least equal owners of about North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Veterans Business Development. OVBD
half of all small businesses. SBA serves Washington provide online and face to develops and distributes informational
women entrepreneurs nationwide face entrepreneurial development materials for entrepreneurship such as
through its various programs and services for veterans and reservists such the Veterans Business Resource Guide,
services, some of which are designed as business training, counseling and VETGazette, Getting Veterans Back to
especially for women. mentoring, pre-business plan workshops, Work. Veterans may access these
The SBA’s Office of Women’s Business feasibility analysis, and referrals to resources and other assistance from
Ownership serves as an advocate for additional small business resources. OVBD by visiting the Web site at:
women-owned business and oversees a During fiscal 2009, SBA’s veterans www.sba.gov/VETS/.
nationwide network of more than a business ownership specialists counseled For more information or special
hundred women’s business centers that or trained 122,901 veteran assistance with government contracting,
provide business training, counseling entrepreneurs. To learn more about the including programs for veterans and
and mentoring geared specifically to Veterans Business Outreach program or service-disabled veterans, please check
women, especially those who are socially find the nearest SBA VBOC, visit the the Contracting Opportunities section of
and economically disadvantaged. The SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/vets. this publication, and the Web site above.
program is a public-private partnership OVBO also partners with the SBA’s Patriot Express Initiative has
with locally-based nonprofits and each Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for new and enhanced programs and
tailors its services to meet the needs of Veterans With Disabilities at Syracuse services for veterans and members of the
its community. Women’s Business University, University of Connecticut, military community wanting to establish
Centers serve a wide diversity of Florida State University, Texas A&M or expand small businesses. See the
geographic areas, population densities, University, UCLA and Purdue to Financing section for more information
and economic environments, including prepare service-disabled veterans for on Patriot Express.
urban, suburban, and rural. Local business ownership..
economies vary from depressed to SBDCs and SCORE also provide
targeted management assistance to
native american business
thriving, and range from metropolitan
areas to entire states. Each Women’s veterans who are current or prospective Development
Business Center tailors its services to small business owners. SCORE also The SBA is also working to ensure
the needs of its individual community, provides resources and counseling that entrepreneurship opportunities are
but all offer a variety of innovative services online at: www.score.org. available for American Indians, Native
programs, often including courses in The SBA offers special assistance for Alaskans and Native Hawaiians seeking
different languages. They provide small businesses owned by activated to create, develop and expand small
training in finance, management, Reserve and National Guard members. businesses. These groups have full
marketing, and the Internet, as well as Any self-employed Reserve or Guard access to the necessary business
access to all of the SBA’s financial and member with an existing SBA loan can development and expansion tools
procurement assistance programs. request from their SBA lender or SBA available through the agency’s
SBA also reaches out to women district office, loan payment deferrals, entrepreneurial development, lending
entrepreneurs through women’s interest rate reductions and other relief and procurement programs. More
business ownership representatives in after they receive their activation orders.
information is at: http://www.sba.gov/
every SBA district office who coordinate Additionally, the SBA offers special
aboutsba/sbaprograms/naa/index.html.
services, provide access to business low-interest-rate financing to small
training and counseling, to credit and businesses when an owner or essential
capital, and marketing opportunities, employee is called to active duty. The
including federal contracts. Military Reservist Economic Injury
14 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
REGULATIONS
KNOWING THE RULES
Paying Attention to Detail Can Save Time and Money
which business format is right for you,
you may want to discuss options with a
business counselor or attorney.
Sole Proprietorship
One person operating a business as an
individual is a sole proprietorship. It’s
the most common form of business
organization. Profits are taxed as
income to the owner personally. The
personal tax rate is usually lower than
the corporate tax rate. The owner has
complete control of the business, but
faces unlimited liability for its debts.
There is very little government
regulation or reporting required with
this business structure.
ven if your consulting service permits and professional licenses for
E or hand-knit sweater business
is based from your home, it
will have to comply with many
of the numerous local, state,
and federal regulations. Avoid the
temptation to ignore regulatory details.
Doing so may avert some red tape in the
businesses.
“Feature Topics” focuses on common
business concerns. It provides context to
the compliance information provided on
the site and helps business owners
understand in plain language the
General Partnership
A partnership exists when two or more
persons join together in the operation
and management of a business.
Partnerships are subject to relatively
little regulation and are fairly easy to
regulatory requirements their businesses establish. A formal partnership
short term, but could be an obstacle as face. Additional topics are added on a agreement is recommended to address
your business grows. Taking the time to regular basis in response to the most
research the applicable regulations is as potential conflicts such as: who will be
frequent searches on the site. responsible for performing each task;
important as knowing your market. Bear
in mind that regulations vary by
(NOTE: Business.gov will soon be what, if any, consultation is needed
industry. If you're in the food-service
incorporated into the SBA website. between partners before major decisions,
business, for example, you will have to Some Web addresses for specific pages and what happens when a partner dies.
deal with the health department. If you may change.) Under a general partnership each
use chemical solvents, you will have partner is liable for all debts of the
environmental compliances to meet. business orGanization business. Profits are taxed as income to
Carefully investigate the regulations the partners based on their ownership
There are many forms of legal
that affect your industry. Being out of percentage.
structure you may choose for your
compliance could leave you unprotected business. Each legal structure offers
legally, lead to expensive penalties and organizational options with different tax Limited Partnership
jeopardize your business. and liability issues. We suggest you Like a general partnership, a limited
research each legal structure thoroughly partnership is established by an
agreement between two or more persons.
business.Gov and consult a tax accountant and/or
attorney prior to making your decision. However, there are two types of
Business.gov provides a one-stop shop partners.
for federal resources from the agencies
that regulate or serve businesses.
cHoosinG Your business • A general partner has greater control
in some aspects of the partnership. For
While most businesses in the United structure example, only a general partner can
States are required to obtain a permit, You may operate your business under decide to dissolve the partnership.
General partners have no limits on the
professional license, or identification one of many organizational structures.
dividends they can receive from profit
number to operate, finding the right The most common organizational so they incur unlimited liability.
license can be a major challenge for structures are sole proprietorships, • Limited partners can only receive a
potential business owners. general and limited partnerships, “C” share of profits based on the
Business.gov’s “Permit Me” feature and “S” corporations and limited liability proportional amount on their
companies. investment, and liability is similarly
provides a single source for obtaining
Each structure offers unique tax and limited in proportion to their
information about federal and state
liability benefits. If you’re uncertain investment.
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 15
“C” Corporation others who might want to use the same frequently required by banks or
A “C” corporation is a legal entity name. For more information, contact the government loan programs. It also can
created under state law by the filing of county clerk’s office in the county where be used to provide continuity in
articles of incorporation. A corporation is your business is based. If you are a operations during a period of ownership
a separate entity having its own rights, corporation, you’ll need to check with the transition caused by the death,
privileges and liabilities, apart from state. incapacitation or absence due to a Title
those of the individual(s) forming the 10 military activation of an owner or
other "key" employee.
corporation. It’s the most complex form
of business organization and is
business insurance Automobile – It is obvious that a
comprised of shareholders, directors and Like home insurance, business vehicle owned by your business should
officers. Since the corporation is a insurance protects your business against be insured for both liability and
separate legal entity in its own right it fire, theft and other losses. Contact your replacement purposes. What is less
can own assets, borrow money and insurance agent or broker. It is prudent obvious is that you may need special
perform business functions without for any business to purchase a number insurance (called "non-owned automobile
directly involving the owners. of basic types of insurance. Some types coverage") if you use your personal
Corporations are subject to more of coverage are required by law, other vehicle on company business. This policy
government regulation and offer the simply make good business sense. The covers the business' liability for any
owners the advantage of limited liability, types of insurance listed below are damage which may result for such
but not total protection from lawsuits. among the most commonly used and are usage.
merely a starting point for evaluating Officer and Director – Under most
Subchapter “S” Corporation the needs of your business. state laws, officers and directors of a
Subchapter “S” references a special Liability Insurance – Businesses may corporation may become personally
part of the Internal Revenue Code that incur various forms of liability in liable for their actions on behalf of the
permits a corporation to be taxed as a conducting their normal activities. One company. This type of policy covers this
partnership or sole proprietorship, with of the most common types is product liability.
profits taxed at the individual, rather liability, which may be incurred when a Home Office – If you are establishing
than the corporate rate. A business customer suffers harm from using the an office in your home, it is a good idea
must meet certain requirements for business product. There are many other to contact your homeowners' insurance
Subchapter “S” status. Contact the IRS types of liability, which are frequently company to update your policy to include
for more information. related to specific industries. Liability coverage for office equipment. This
law is constantly changing. An analysis coverage is not automatically included in
LLCs and LLPs of your liability insurance needs by a a standard homeowner's policy.
The limited liability company is a competent professional is vital in
relatively new business form. It determining an adequate and
combines selected corporate and appropriate level of protection for your emploYer iDentiFication
partnership characteristics while still
maintaining status as a legal entity
business. number
Property – There are many different An EIN, also known as a federal tax
distinct from its owners. As a separate types of property insurance and levels of
entity it can acquire assets, incur identification number, is used to identify
coverage available. It is important to a business entity. Generally all
liabilities and conduct business. It limits determine the property you need to
liability for the owners. The limited businesses need an EIN. You may apply
insure for the continuation of your for an EIN in a variety of ways,
liability partnership is similar to the
business and the level of insurance you including online, phone, fax. Taxpayers
LLC, but it is for professional
need to replace or rebuild. You must also can obtain an EIN immediately by
organizations.
understand the terms of the insurance, calling 800-829-4933, Monday through
including any limitations or waivers of Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
loGistics oF startinG Your coverage. customer's local time.
business Business Interruption – While Taxpayers can fax EIN requests seven
property insurance may pay enough to days a week/24 hours a day by dialing
business licenses replace damaged or destroyed equipment the fax number to one of three IRS
There are many types of licenses, both or buildings, how will you pay costs such campuses that accept applications. The
state and local as well as professional. as taxes, utilities and other continuing instructions on the newly revised Form
Depending on what you do and where expenses during the period between SS-4, Application for Employer ID
you plan to operate, your business may when the damage occurs and when the Number, indicate which IRS Campus is
be required to have various state and/or property is replaced? Business assigned to their specific state. Faxed
municipal licenses, certificates or Interruption (or "business income") applications are processed in four days.
permits. insurance can provide sufficient funds to Detailed information and an electronic
Licenses are typically administered by pay your fixed expenses during a period SS-4 can be found at the IRS Small
a variety of state and local departments. of time when your business is not Business/Self Employed Community
Consult your state or local government operational. Web site at: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/
for assistance. "Key Man" – If you (and/or any other small/index.html, click on New Businesses.
individual) are so critical to the EINs are also issued automatically
Fictitious business name operation of your business that it cannot online. Visit the IRS Web site,
Registering your business name, after continue in the event of your illness or http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,
doing a search to make sure that it is death, you should consider "key man" ,id=102767,00. html for more information.
not already in use, protects you from insurance. This type of policy is
16 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
FeDeral irs Web proDucts For Testing Social Media
The IRS has launched a YouTube
selF-emploYment tax small businesses video site at YouTube - irsvideos's
Every employee must pay Social For the most timely and up-to-date Channel and an iTunes podcast to help
Security and Medicare coverage. If you tax information, consult the Small taxpayers take full advantage of the
are self-employed, your contributions are Business Resource Guide (SBRG), 2009 tax provisions in the American
made through the self-employment tax. formerly a CD-ROM, is available Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The IRS has publications, counselors exclusively online at The IRS YouTube channel debuted with
and workshops available to help you sort http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html. seven Recovery videos in English and
it out. For more information, contact the Designed to equip small business American Sign Language and eight in
IRS at 800-829-1040. owners with the skills and knowledge Spanish plus other languages.
needed to successfully start and manage People without an iTunes account can
sales tax exemption a business, The SBRG covers a wide hear those same podcasts, in English
range of tax topics Web links to business
certiFicate forms, publications, other useful
and Spanish, on IRS.gov’s Multimedia
Center. People can also visit the audio
If you plan to sell products, you will governmental Web sites, and much site at iTunes to listen to IRS podcasts
need a Sales Tax Exemption Certificate. more. about ARRA tax credits.
It allows you to purchase inventory, or To get the most timely IRS news and
materials, which will become part of the New IRS Applications Make Tax information about products and services
product you sell, from suppliers without
Information More Accessible to for small businesses and the self-
paying taxes. It requires you to charge
Small Businesses and the employed, subscribe to e-News on IRS.gov
sales tax to your customers, which you
at: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/
are responsible for remitting to the state. Self-employed
Maximizing the Web’s convenience, 0,,id=154825,00.html, click “Subscribe
You will have to pay penalties if it is
accuracy and speed, IRS.gov, IRS’s web Now” at the bottom of the page and
found that you should have been taxing
your products and now owe back taxes to site, now assists millions of individual enter your e-mail address.
the state. For information on sales tax taxpayers, tax professionals, and small
issues, contact your state’s government. business owners to better understand
and meet their tax responsibilities.
social securitY carDs
All employees must have a social
FeDeral income tax Updated Virtual Small Business Tax
security card. It must be signed by its
owner, and you should always ask to see
Like the state income tax, the method Workshop and personally record the social security
of paying federal income taxes depends The IRS’s Virtual Small Business Tax number. Failure to do so may cause your
upon your legal form of business. Workshop (http://www.tax.gov/virtualwork employee to lose benefits and
Sole Proprietorship: You must file shop) is an interactive resource to help considerable trouble for yourself in back
IRS Federal Form Schedule C along small business owners learn about their tracking to uncover the error.
with your personal Federal Income Tax federal tax rights and responsibilities. Each payday, your employees must
return (Form 1040) and any other This dynamic educational product, receive a statement from you telling
applicable forms pertaining to gains or available online and on CD 24/7 from them what deductions were made and
losses in your business activity. your computer, consists of nine stand- how many dollars were taken out for
Partnership: You must file a Federal alone lessons that can be selected and each legal purpose. This can be
Partnership return (Form 1065). This is viewed in any sequence. A bookmark presented in a variety of ways, including
merely informational to show gross and feature makes it possible to leave and on the check as a detachable portion or
net earnings of profit and loss. Also, each return to a specific point within the in the form of an envelope with the
partner must report his share of lesson. Users also have access to a list of items printed and spaces for dollar
partnership earnings on his individual useful online references that enhance deductions to be filled in.
Form 1040 based on the information the learning experience by allowing
from the K-1 filed with the Form 1065. them to view references and the video
Corporation: You must file a Federal lessons simultaneously. emploYee consiDerations
Corporation Income Tax return (Form The Virtual Small Business Tax Taxes
1120). You will also be required to report Workshop is the first of a series of video If you have any employees, including
your earnings from the corporation products designed exclusively for small officers of a corporation but not the sole
including salary and other income such business taxpayers. A new companion proprietor or partners, you must make
as dividends on your personal federal series called, “Your Guide to an IRS periodic payments of, and/or file
income tax return (Form 1040). Audit” is in development with plans for a
quarterly reports about payroll taxes
summer 2010 launch.
and other mandatory deductions. You
FeDeral paYroll tax IRS.gov Now Features Audio and may contact these government agencies
for information, assistance and forms.
Federal Withholding Tax: Any Video Social Security Administration
business employing a person must IRS is augmenting its curriculum of 800-772-1213
register with the IRS and acquire an online learning and educational http://www.ssa.gov
EIN and pay federal withholding tax at products for the small business
least quarterly. File Form SS-4 with IRS community by developing new live
to obtain number and required tax broadcasting, phone forums and
forms. Call 800-829-3676 or 800-829- webinars, and offering audio and video
1040 if you have questions. presentations.
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 17
Social Security’s Business Services saFetY & HealtH Trademark Information Hotline
reGulations
Online 703-308-9000
The Social Security Administration
now provides free electronic services All businesses with employees are state reGistration oF a
required to comply with state and
online at:
federal regulations regarding the
traDemark
www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/. Once Trademarks and service marks may be
registered for Business Services Online, protection of employees. The
Occupational Safety and Health registered in a state.
business owners or their authorized Caution: Federally registered
representative can: Administration outlines specific health
• file W-2s online; and and safety standards adopted by the trademarks may conflict with and
• verify Social Security Numbers through U.S. Department of Labor. supersede state registered business and
the Social Security Number Verification product names.
Service, used for all employees prior to builDinG coDes, permits
preparing and submitting Forms W-2.
Federal Withholding anD zoninG Patents
A patent is the grant of a property
U.S. Internal Revenue Service It is important to consider zoning right to the inventor by the U.S. Patent
800-829-1040 regulations when choosing a site for your and Trademark Office. It provides the
http://www.irs.gov business. You may not be permitted to owner with the right to exclude others
conduct business out of your home or from making, using, offering for sale or
Employee Insurance engage in industrial activity in a retail selling the patented item in the United
If you hire employees you may be district. Contact the business license States.
required to provide unemployment or office in the city or town where the Additional information is provided in
workers’ compensation insurance. business is located. the publications, General Information
Concerning Patents and other
Workplace proGram bar coDinG publications distributed through the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. For
Americans with Disabilities (ADA): Many stores require bar coding on more information, contact the:
For assistance with the ADA, call 800- packaged products. Many industrial and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
669-3362 or visit: http://www.ada.gov. manufacturing companies use bar coding 800-786-9199 • http://www.uspto.gov
to identify items they receive and ship.
There are several companies that can
u.s. citizensHip anD assist businesses with bar-coding needs.
Copyrights
Copyrights protect original works of
immiGration services You may want to talk with an SBDC, authorship including literary, dramatic,
The Federal Immigration Reform and SCORE or WBC counselor for more musical and artistic, and certain other
Control Act of 1986 requires employers information. intellectual works. Copyright does not
to verify employment eligibility of new protect facts, ideas and systems,
employees. The law obligates an Federal Registration of Trademarks although it may protect the way these
employer to process Employment and Copyrights things are expressed. For general
Eligibility Verification Form I-9. The Trademarks or service markets are information contact:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration words, phrases, symbols, designs or U.S. Copyright Office
Services Office of Business Liaison offers combinations thereof that identify and U.S. Library of Congress
a selection of information bulletins and distinguish the source of goods.
James Madison Memorial Building
live assistance through the Employer Washington, DC 20559
Trademarks may be registered at both
Hotline. For forms call 800-870-3676, for 202-707-9100 - Order Line
the Employer Hotline call 800-357-2099. the state and federal level. To register a 202-707-3000 - Information Line
federal trademark, contact: www.copyright.gov
E-Verify: Employment Eligibility U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:
P.O. Box 1450
Verification Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
E-Verify, operated by the Department 800-786-9199
of Homeland Security in partnership http://www.uspto.gov/
with the Social Security Administration,
is the best--and quickest--way for
employers to determine the employment
eligibility of new hires. It is a safe,
simple, and secure Internet-based
system that electronically verifies Social
Security number and employment
eligibility information reported on Form
I-9. E-Verify is voluntary in most states
and there is no charge to use it. • Faster, better search capabilities
If you are an employer or employee
and would like more information about SBA’S WEBSITE • Information tailored to your needs
the E-Verify program, please visit:
www.dhs.gov/E-Verify or contact our Watch for the SBA’s Improved • News about SBA programs & services
Customer Support staff: 1-888-464-4218 Website Soon, Featuring:
Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm. Some pages may change URLs on the upgraded site. Please
consult www.sba.gov or your local SBA district office for
E-mail: e-verify@dhs.gov assistance.
18 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
FINANCING & SURETY BONDS
GETTING APPROVED
Financing Options to Start or Grow Your Business
SBIR Requirements:
Small businesses must meet the
following eligibility criteria to participate
in the SBIR program.
• Be 51 percent owned and controlled by
one or more individuals who are U.S.
citizens or permanent resident aliens
in the U.S. or be a for-profit business
concern that is at least 51 percent
owned and controlled by another for-
profit business concern that is at least
51 percent owned and controlled by
one or more individuals who are
citizens of, or permanent resident
aliens in, the U.S.
• Be organized for profit.
• Principal researcher must be employed
by small business.
• Company size cannot exceed 500
employees.
For more information on the SBIR
needs of small businesses. Licensed and Program visit: http://www.sba.gov/
M
any entrepreneurs need
financial resources to start regulated by the SBA, SBICs are aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbir/index.html.
or expand a small business privately owned and managed
themselves and must investment funds that make capital Participating Agencies:
available to qualifying U.S. small Each year, the following eleven federal
combine what they have
businesses through investments or departments and agencies are required
with other sources of financing. These
loans. They use their own funds plus to reserve a portion of their R&D funds
sources can include family and friends, funds obtained at favorable rates
venture-capital financing, and business for award to small business:
through SBA-guaranteed leverage.
loans. SBICs are for-profit firms whose Departments of Agriculture; Commerce;
This section of the Small Business incentive is to share in the success of a Defense; Education; Energy; Health and
Resource guide discusses SBA’s primary small business. In addition to equity and Human Services; Homeland Security;
business loan and equity financing debt investments, SBICs provide Transportation; Environmental
programs. These are: the 7(a) Loan managerial, operational and technical Protection Agency; National Aeronautics
Program, the Certified Development assistance. The SBIC Program provides and Space Administration; and National
Company or 504 Loan Program, the funding for a broad range of industries Science Foundation.
Microloan Program and the Small and stage of investment. Some SBICs
invest in a particular field or industry
Business Investment Company Program.
The distinguishing features for these while others invest more generally. For small business
programs are the total dollar amounts more information visit: tecHnoloGY transFer
that can be borrowed, the type of lenders http://www.sba.gov/inv. proGram
who can provide these loans, the uses for The STTR program reserves a specific
the loan proceeds, and the terms placed small business innovation percentage of federal R&D funding for
on the borrower.
Note: The SBA does not offer grants
researcH proGram award to small business and nonprofit
research institution partners. Small
The SBIR Program encourages small
to individual business owners to start business has long been where innovation
businesses to explore their technological
or grow a business. and innovators thrive. But the risk and
potential by reserving a specific
percentage of federal research and expense of conducting serious R&D
small business investment development funds for small businesses. efforts can be beyond the means of many
small businesses. Conversely, nonprofit
companY proGram The program serves to fund the critical
startup and development stages for a research laboratories are instrumental
There are a variety of alternatives to in developing high-tech innovations. But
technology and encourages
bank financing for small businesses. The frequently, innovation is confined to the
commercialization of the technology,
Small Business Investment Company theoretical, not the practical. STTR
product or service. In turn, this
Program fills the gap between the combines the strengths of both entities
stimulates the U.S. economy.
availability of private capital and the by introducing entrepreneurial skills to
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 19
high-tech research efforts. The important, an explanation of how the guarantees depends on either the dollar
technologies and products are business will be able to repay the loan in amount or the program the lender uses
transferred from the laboratory to the a timely manner. to obtain its guaranty. For loans of
marketplace. The small business profits The lender will analyze the $150,000 or less the SBA may guaranty
from the commercialization, which, in application to see if it meets the lender’s as much as 85 percent and for loans over
turn, stimulates the U.S. economy. criteria as well as SBA’s requirements. $150,000 the SBA can provide a
SBA will look to the lender to do much, guaranty of up to 75 percent. (NOTE:
STTR Requirements: if not all, of the analysis before it Percentages that have been temporarily
Small businesses must meet the provides its guaranty on the lender’s increased up to 90 percent may be
loan or provides the microlenders with
following eligibility criteria to participate extended past their normal expiration
funds to re-lend to the business. The
in the STTR Program. SBA’s business loan programs provide a
as part of government efforts to
• Be 51 percent owned and controlled by promote economic recovery. Check with
key source of financing for viable small
one or more individuals who are U.S. your local SBA district office for more
businesses that have real potential, but
citizens or permanent resident aliens information.)
in the U.S.
cannot qualify for loans from the lending
institutions on their own. The maximum loan amount is $2
• Be organized for profit.
million and the maximum guaranty
• Principal researchers need not be
amount to any one business (including
employed by small business.
• Small business must conduct at least
7(a) loan proGram affiliates) is $1.5 million. The one
40 percent of the work. The 7(a) Loan Program is the SBA’s exception is when a business needs both
• Company size cannot exceed 500 primary business loan program. It is the working capital and fixed assets to
employees. (No size limit for nonprofit agency’s most used non-disaster promote exporting in which case the
research institution). financial assistance program because of SBA can provide a maximum guaranty
The nonprofit research institution partner its flexibility in loan structure, variety of of $1.75 million.
must also meet certain eligibility criteria: loan proceed uses, and availability. This Loans made under the SBAExpress
• Be located in the United States and be program has broad eligibility program, which is discussed
one of the following: requirements and credit criteria to subsequently, have a 50 percent
• Nonprofit college or university. accommodate a wide range of financing guaranty.
• Domestic nonprofit research needs.
organization. The business loans that SBA
• Federally funded R&D center. guarantees do not come from the agency, interest rates anD Fees
• The research institution must conduct but rather from banks and other The actual interest rate for a loan
at least 30 percent of the work. approved lenders. The loans are funded guaranteed by SBA is negotiated
by these organizations and they make
between the applicant and lender and
Participating Agencies: the decisions to approve or not approve
subject to SBA maximums. Both fixed
Each year the following five Federal the applicants’ requests.
The SBA guaranty reduces the and variable interest rate structures are
departments and agencies are required available. The maximum rate is
by STTR to reserve a portion of their lender’s risk of borrower non-payment. If
the borrower defaults, the lender can comprised of two parts, a base rate and
R&D funds for award to small an allowable spread. There are three
request SBA to pay the lender that
business/nonprofit research institution acceptable base rates (Wall Street
percentage of the outstanding balance
partnerships: Department of Defense; guaranteed by SBA. This allows the Journal Prime*, London Interbank One
Department of Energy; Department of lender to recover a portion from SBA of Month Prime plus 3 percent, and an
Health and Human Services; National what it lent if the borrower can’t make SBA Peg Rate). Lenders are allowed to
Aeronautics and Space Administration; the payments. The borrower is still add an additional spread to the base rate
and National Science Foundation. obligated for the full amount. to arrive at the final rate. For loans
To qualify for an SBA guaranty, a with maturities of less than seven years
small business must meet the lender’s the maximum spread will be no more
otHer business loans criteria and the 7(a) requirements. In than 2.25 percent. For loans with
When you seek a business loan, addition the lender must certify that it maturities of seven years or more the
familiarize yourself with the SBA’s would not provide this loan under the maximum spread will be 2.75 percent.
business loan programs to see if they proposed terms and conditions unless it The spread on loans under $50,000 and
may be a viable option. Keep in mind can obtain an SBA guaranty. If the SBA loans processed through Express
the dollar amount you seek to borrow is going to provide a lender with a procedures may be higher.
and how you want to use the loan guaranty, the applicant must be eligible
proceeds. The three principal players in Loans guaranteed by SBA are
and creditworthy and the loan
most of these programs are — the assessed a guaranty fee. This fee is
structured under conditions acceptable
applicant small business, the lender and to SBA. based on the loan’s maturity and the
the SBA. SBA guarantees a portion of dollar amount guaranteed, not the total
loan amount. The guaranty fee is
the loan (except for Microloans). The
business should have its business plan
percentaGe oF Guaranties generally paid by the borrower and can
prepared before it applies for a loan. anD loan maximums be included in the loan proceeds.
This plan should explain what resources The SBA only guarantees a portion of On any loan with a maturity of one
will be needed to accomplish the desired any particular loan so each loan will also year or less, the fee is just 0.25 percent
business purpose including the cost of have an unguaranteed portion giving the of the guaranteed portion of the loan. On
everything, the applicants’ contribution, lender a certain amount of exposure and loans with maturities of more than one
use of loan proceeds, collateral, and most risk on each loan. The percentage SBA year, the normal guaranty fee is 2
20 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
percent of the SBA guaranteed portion Nature of Business
on loans up to $150,000; 3 percent on The second eligibility factor is based
loans over $150,000 but not more than on the nature of the business and the
$700,000; and 3.5 percent on loans over process by which it generates income or
$700,000. There is also an additional fee the customers it serves. The SBA has
of 0.25 percent on any guaranteed general prohibitions against providing
portion over $1 million. financial assistance to businesses
* All references to the prime rate refer involved in such activities as lending,
to the base rate in effect on the first speculating, passive investment,
business day of the month the loan pyramid sales, loan packaging,
application is received by SBA. presenting live performances of a
(Note: Fees which have been prurient sexual nature, businesses
temporarily lowered for some loans as involved in gambling and any illegal
part of the government efforts to activity.
promote economic recovery may be collateral The SBA will also not support non-
profit businesses, private clubs that limit
extended. Check with your local SBA The SBA expects every loan to be
district office for the latest information.) membership on a basis other than
fully secured, but the SBA will not capacity, businesses that promote a
decline a request to guaranty a loan if religion, businesses owned by
7(a) loan maturities the only unfavorable factor is insufficient individuals incarcerated or on probation
collateral, provided all available or parole, municipalities, and situations
SBA loan programs are generally
collateral is offered. What these two where the business or its owners
intended to encourage longer term small
policies mean is that every SBA loan is previously failed to repay a federal loan
business financing, but actual loan to be secured by all available assets
maturities are based on the ability to or federally assisted financing.
(both business and personal) until the
repay, the purpose of the loan proceeds recovery value equals the loan amount
and the useful life of the assets financed. Use of Proceeds
or until all assets have been pledged to The third eligibility factor is usage of
However, maximum loan maturities the extent that they are reasonably
have been established: 25 years for real proceeds. 7(a) proceeds can be used to:
available. Personal guaranties are
estate; up to 10 years for equipment purchase machinery, equipment, fix-
required from all the principal owners of
(depending on the useful life of the tures, supplies, leasehold improvements,
the business. Liens on personal assets of
equipment); and generally up to seven the principals may be required. as well as land and/or buildings that will
years for working capital. Short-term be occupied by the business borrower.
Proceeds can also be used to:
loans and revolving lines of credit are
also available through the SBA to help
eliGibilitY • Expand or renovate facilities;
7(a) loan eligibility is based on four • Finance receivables and augment
small businesses meet their short-term working capital;
and cyclical working capital needs. different factors. The first is size, as all
• Finance seasonal lines of credit;
loan recipients must be classified as • Construct commercial buildings; and
“small” by SBA. The basic size • Refinance existing debt under certain
structure standards are outlined below. A more conditions.
Most loans are repaid with monthly in-depth listing of standards can be SBA 7(a) loan proceeds cannot be used
payments of principal and interest. For found at: http://www.sba.gov/services/ for the purpose of making investments.
fixed-rate loans the payments stay the contractingopportunities/index.html select SBA proceeds cannot be used to provide
same whereas for variable rate loans the “For Government/Contracting Officials” funds to any of the owners of the
lender can re-establish the payment which then leads to a page where you business except for ordinary
amount when the interest rates change can select “Size Standards.” compensation for actual services
or at other intervals as negotiated with provided.
the borrower. Applicants can request SBA Size Standards:
that the lender establish the loan with • Manufacturing from 500 to no more Miscellaneous Factors
interest-only payments during the start- than 1,500 employees The fourth factor involves a variety of
up and expansion phases (when eligible) • Wholesaling — No more than 100
employees
requirements such as SBA’s credit
to allow the business time to generate
• Services from $4.5 million to no more elsewhere test and utilization of personal
income before it starts making full loan
payments. Balloon payments or call than $35.5 million in average annual assets requirements where the business
provisions are not allowed on any 7(a) receipts and its principal owners must use their
• Retailing from $7 million to no more own resources before getting a loan
loan. The lender may not charge a than $29 million in average annual
prepayment penalty if the loan is paid guaranteed by SBA. It also includes
receipts
off before maturity, but the SBA will SBA’s anti-discrimination rules and
• General construction from $7 million
charge the borrower a prepayment fee if to no more than $33.5 million in restrictions on lending to agricultural
the loan has a maturity of 15 or more average annual receipts enterprises because there are other
years and is pre-paid during the first • Agriculture from $750,000 to no more agencies of the federal government with
three years. than $17.5 million in average annual programs to fund such businesses.
receipts Generally, SBA loans must meet the
following:
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 21
• Every loan must be for a sound provides, the amount of review which resources to meet start-up expenses
business purpose; SBA conducts, the amount of the loan and the initial operating phase).
• There must be sufficient invested and the lender responsibilities in case • Adequate equity invested in the
equity in the business so it can operate the loan defaults and the business’ business.
on a sound financial basis; assets must be liquidated. The methods • Sufficient collateral to secure the loan
• There must be a potential for long- are: or all available collateral if the loan
term success; • Standard 7(a) Guaranty cannot be fully secured.
• The owners must be of good character • Certified Lender Program
and reputation; and
• All loans must be so sound as to
• Preferred Lender Program
• Rural Lender Advantage
sbaexpress
reasonably assure repayment. • SBA Express
The SBAExpress guaranty is
For SBA’s eligibility requirements • Patriot Express available to lenders as a way to obtain a
check: http://www.sba.gov/services/. • Export Express guaranty on smaller loans up to
• Community Express $350,000. The program authorizes
For the Standard, Certified and selected, experienced lenders to use
WHat to take to tHe lenDer Preferred methods, the applicant fills out mostly their own forms, analysis and
Documentation requirements may SBA Form 4, and the lender completes procedures to process, service and
vary; contact your lender for the SBA Form 4-1. When requests for liquidate SBA-guaranteed loans. The
information you must supply. guarantees are processed using Express SBA guarantees up to 50 percent of an
methods, the applicant uses more of the SBAExpress loan. Loans under $25,000
Common requirements include the
regular forms of the lender and just has do not require collateral. The use of loan
following: a few federal forms to complete. When
• Purpose of the loan. proceeds is the same as for any basic
• History of the business. SBA receives a request that is processed 7(a) loan. Like most 7(a) loans,
• Financial statements for three years through Standard or CLP procedures, it maturities are usually five to seven
(existing businesses). either reanalyzes or reviews the lender’s years for working capital and up to 25
• Schedule of term debts (existing eligibility and credit analysis before
years for real estate or equipment.
businesses). deciding to approve or reject. For
• Aging of accounts receivable and Revolving lines of credit are allowed for
requests processed through PLP, or
payable (existing businesses). Express programs, the lender is a maximum of seven years.
• Projected opening-day balance sheet delegated the authority to make the For a list of lenders in your area,
(new businesses). contact your local SBA office at:
credit decision without SBA’s
• Lease details. www.sba.gov/local resources/index.html.
• Amount of investment in the business concurrences which help expedite the
by the owner(s). processing time.
• Projections of income, expenses and
cash flow as well as an explanation of
In guaranteeing the loan, the SBA
assures the lender that, in the event the
patriot express
the assumptions used to develop these borrower does not repay the loan, the The Patriot Express pilot loan
projections. government will reimburse the lending initiative is for veterans and members of
• Personal financial statements on the institution for a portion of its loss. By the military community wanting to
principal owners. providing this guaranty, the SBA is able establish or expand a small business.
• Resume(s) of the principal owners and
to help tens of thousands of small Eligible military community members
managers.
businesses every year get financing they include:
might not otherwise obtain.
HoW tHe 7(a) proGram After SBA approval, the lender is
• Veterans;
• Service-disabled veterans;
Works notified that its loan has been • Active-duty servicemembers eligible for
Applicants submit their loan guaranteed. The lender then will work the military’s Transition Assistance
application to a lender for the initial with the applicant to make sure the Program;
review. The lender will generally review terms and conditions are met before • Reservists and National Guard
the credit merits of the request before closing the loan, disbursing the funds, members;
and assuming responsibility for • Current spouses of any of the above,
deciding if they will make the loan
collection and general servicing. The including a servicemember;
themselves or if they will need an SBA
borrower makes monthly loan payments • The widowed spouse of a
guaranty. If a guaranty is needed, the servicemember or veteran who died
lender will also review eligibility, and directly to the lender. As with any loan,
during service or of a service-connected
the applicant should be prepared to the borrower is responsible for repaying
disability.
complete some additional documents the full amount of the loan in a timely
manner. The Patriot Express loan is offered by
before the lender reviews the request to
SBA’s widest network of lenders
ensure it meets SBA’s requirements
before sending the request for guaranty What the SBA Looks for: nationwide and features the fastest
to the SBA. Applicants who feel they • Ability to repay the loan on time from turnaround time for loan approvals.
need more help with the process should the projected operating cash flow. Loans are available up to $500,000 and
contact their local SBA district office or • Owners and operators who are of good qualify for SBA’s maximum guaranty of
one of SBA’s resource partners for character. 85 percent for loans of $150,000 or less
assistance. • Feasible business plan.
and 75 percent for loans over $150,000
There are several ways a lender can • Management expertise and
commitment necessary for success. up to $500,000. For loans above
apply to the SBA for a 7(a) guaranty $350,000, lenders are required to take
• Sufficient funds, including the SBA
from SBA. The main differences all available collateral.
guaranteed loan, to operate the
between these methods are related to business on a sound financial basis (for
the documentation which the lender new businesses, this includes the
22 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
The Patriot Express loan can be used Branch Banking & Trust Company Florida Shores Bank-Southeast
for most business purposes, including 866-666-8592 954-876-2315
start-up, expansion, equipment
Busey Bank Florida Shores Bank-Southwest
purchases, working capital, inventory or 239-790-8000 954-237-2000
business-occupied real-estate purchases.
Patriot Express loans feature SBA’s Cit Small Business Lending Gulfshore Bank
lowest interest rates for business loans, 800-713-4984 813-418-3041
generally 2.25 percent to 4.75 percent
over prime depending upon the size and
Community Bank of Broward HSBC Bank USA, N.A.
954-888-9989 Contact any branch
maturity of the loan. Your local SBA
district office will have a listing of Community Bank of the South JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Patriot Express lenders in your area. 321-452-0420 Contact any branch
More information is available at:
http://www.sba.gov/patriotexpress. Eurobank Keybank, N.A.
305-350-1100 Contact any branch
2010 Patriot Express Lenders Federal Trust Bank M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank
407-323-1833 941-795-3050
1st United Bank
561-653-3700 Fifth Third Bank Marine Bank & Trust Company
800-998-3444 772-231-6611
Banco Popular North America
Contact any branch First Bank Pilot Bank
863-983-8191 813-349-4543
Bank of America, N.A.
Contact any branch First Commercial Bank of Florida PNC Bank, N.S.
407-328-3163 Contact any branch
Bankfirst
407-654-6599 Florida Business Bank Regions Bank
321-253-1555 Contact any branch
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 23
Republic Bank of Florida be used to finance seasonal working monitoring of the collateral for which
727-853-0742 capital needs; finance the direct costs of the lender can charge up to two
performing certain construction, service percent annually to the borrower.
Southern Commerce Bank and supply contracts; finance the direct • The Standard Asset-Based Line is
813-621-2080 cost associated with commercial and similar to the Small Asset-Based
Line, but for loan amounts over
residential construction; finance
Stearns Bank, N.A. $200,000. It does require stricter
operating capital by obtaining advances servicing and monitoring and the
941-366-1931
against existing inventory and accounts lender may pass these costs along to
Suntrust Bank receivable; and consolidate short-term the borrower.
Contact any branch debt. SBA provides up to an 85 percent
guarantee. There are five distinct
Superior Ginancial Group, LLC programs under the CAPLine umbrella: export assistance
925-296-0500 • The Contract Loan Program is used trade Financing
to finance material and labor needs The SBA has help for existing small
Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union for a specific contract or contracts. businesses wanting to export goods and
813-247-4414 Proceeds can be disbursed before the services.
work begins. If used for one contract,
it is generally not revolving; if used
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Contact any branch for more than one contract at a time, u.s. export assistance
it can be revolving. The loan maturity
is usually based on the length of the
center (useac)
communitY express pilot contract, but no more than five years.
U.S. Export Assistance Centers, are a
partnership among SBA, U.S.
loan proGram Contract payment must be sent
directly to the lender. Department of Commerce and the
The Community Express Pilot Loan • The Seasonal Line of Credit Export-Import Bank of the U.S. to
Program provides streamlined business Program is used to support buildup of provide trade promotion and export-
financing and management and inventory, accounts receivable or finance assistance for small businesses
technical assistance to small businesses labor and materials above normal in a single location. The USEACs also
located in distressed or underserved usage for seasonal inventory. The work closely with other federal, state
markets. The Community Express business must have been in business and local international trade
program is offered through hundreds of for a period of 12 months and must organizations. To find the nearest
selected SBA lenders throughout the have a definite established seasonal USEAC, go to: http://www.sba.gov/
nation. Under Community Express, pattern. The loan may be used over aboutsba/sbaprograms/internationaltrade/
approved lenders may use streamlined again after a “clean-up” period of 30 useac/index.html
and expedited loan review and approval days to finance activity for a new
season. These also may have a Regional Manager
procedures to process SBA-guaranteed
maturity of up to five years. The SBA International Trade Program
loans. These lenders may use, to the business may not have another Mary E. Hernandez
maximum extent possible, their own seasonal line of credit outstanding but U.S. Export Assistance Center
loan analysis, loan procedures, and loan may have other lines for non-seasonal 5835 Blue Lagoon Dr., Ste. 203
documentation to process SBA loans to working capital needs. Miami, FL 33126
$250,000. However, borrowers must • The Builders Line Program provides 305-526-7425 ext. 21
receive technical assistance to qualify for financing for small contractors or
this program. developers to construct or rehabilitate
residential or commercial property.
export WorkinG capital
special purpose 7(a) loan
Loan maturity is generally three proGram
years but can be extended up to five The SBA’s Export Working Capital
proGrams years if necessary to facilitate sale of Program assists lenders in meeting the
the property. Proceeds are used solely
The 7(a) program is the most flexible needs of exporters seeking short-term
for direct expenses of acquisition,
of SBA’s lending programs. The agency export working capital. This program
immediate construction and/or
has created several variations to the significant rehabilitation of the enables U.S. exporters to obtain loans to
basic 7(a) program to address the residential or commercial structures. fund their direct export costs. The
particular financing need of certain The purchase of the land can be EWCP supports single transactions or
small businesses. These special purpose included if it does not exceed 20 revolving lines of credit. The maximum
programs are not necessarily for all percent of the loan proceeds. Up to 5 dollar amount of an export line of credit
businesses but may be very useful to percent of the proceeds can be used under this program is $2 million. SBA
some small businesses. They are for physical improvements that guarantees up to 90% of a loan amount
generally governed by the same rules, benefit the property. or $1.5 million, whichever is less. Loan
regulations, fees, interest rates, etc. as • The Small Asset-Based Line is a maturities are generally for a term of 12
the regular 7(a) loan guaranty. Lenders revolving line of credit (up to months. The guaranty can be reissued
can advise you of any variations. $200,000) that provides short term for an additional 12 months through a
working capital. These lines are
new application process. The guaranty
generally used by businesses that
fee the SBA charges is 0.25 percent of
caplines provide credit to their customers.
the guaranteed amount of the loan for
Disbursements are based on the size
The CAPLines program is designed to the initial 12 months. The borrower
of a borrower’s accounts receivable
help small businesses meet their short- and/or inventory. Repayment comes negotiates the interest rate and all other
term and cyclical working capital needs. from the collection of accounts fees with the lender. The program offers
There are five loan programs under the receivable or sale of inventory. It does flexible terms, low fees and a quick
CAPLines umbrella. The programs can require periodic servicing and processing time. For information, see
24 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance the total export working capital line,
with a 90 percent guarantee, cannot
international traDe loan
proGram
/sbaloantopics/SpecialPurposeLoans/ewcp/
index.html. exceed $2 million. Loan maturities are
Eligibility of Exporter generally for a term of 12 months. At The program helps small businesses
You must have an operating history of the end of the 12-month maturity, a engaged or preparing to engage in
at least one year – not necessarily in borrower may reapply for a new international trade as well as small
exporting. The SBA may waive this guarantee. The SBA guarantee fee is businesses adversely affected by
requirement if you have sufficient export 0.25 percent of the guaranteed amount competition from imports. This program
trade experience or other managerial of the loan for the initial 12 months. The allows for an increased maximum dollar
experience. guarantee fee that Ex-Im Bank charges amount of SBA guaranty outstanding to
Eligibility of Foreign Buyers is 0.25 percent on the loan amount that any one business (and affiliates) from
The foreign buyer must be a is guaranteed by them. The borrower $1.5 million to $1.75 million. In order to
creditworthy entity and the methods of negotiates the interest rate and all other reach the $1.75 million SBA guaranty
payment must be acceptable to the SBA fees with the lender. ceiling, the borrower must have an
and the export lender. international trade loan as well as an
Eligibility of Exporter SBA working capital loan or line of
Use of EWCP Proceeds: The same as for the SBA EWCP credit. The international trade loan
• To acquire inventory for export or to be
Program. provides an SBA guarantee up to $1.5
used to manufacture goods for export.
• To pay the manufacturing costs of million of a term loan used for the
goods for export. Eligible Buyers acquisition, construction, renovation,
• To purchase goods or services for The foreign buyer must be a modernization, improvement or
export. creditworthy entity located in an expansion of long-term fixed assets or
• To support standby letters of credit acceptable country in conformity with the refinancing of an existing loan used
related to export transactions. the Ex-Im Bank’s Country Limitation for these same purposes. In addition a
• For pre-shipment working capital Schedule; and the method of payment borrower may have a separate working
directly related to export orders. must be acceptable to the SBA, Export- capital loan (term or line of credit) with
• For post-shipment foreign accounts
Import bank and partner lender. a maximum SBA guaranty of $1.25
receivable financing.
million. When combined, the maximum
Ineligible Use of Proceeds Use of Proceeds SBA guaranty outstanding to any one
• To support the applicant’s domestic Generally the same as the SBA business is $1.75 million. The SBA
sales. EWCP. guaranty fee and interest rates are the
• To acquire fixed assets or capital goods same as for any standard 7(a) loans.
for the applicant’s business. Ineligible Use of Proceeds
• To support a sale where the exporter is • Goods or services with less than 50 Eligibility of Exporter
not taking title to the goods. percent U.S. content. • Applicants must meet the same
• To acquire, equip, or rent commercial • To support the export of any Defense eligibility requirements for a 7(a) loan.
space overseas. Articles or Defense Services. • Applicant must establish the loan will
• To serve as a warranty letter of credit. • To support the applicant’s domestic significantly expand or develop an
sales. export market, or the applicant has
Collateral Requirements • To acquire fixed assets or capital goods been adversely affected by import
• Collateral for the manufacturing sector for the applicant’s business. competition, and, in addition, the
typically consists of a first lien on all • To acquire, equip, or rent commercial applicant must show that upgrading
export-related inventory and export space overseas. equipment or facilities will improve its
related accounts receivable. • To serve as a Warranty Letter of competitive position.
• Collateral for the service sector Credit. • If eligibility is based on entering or
typically consists of assignment of expanding export sales, the applicant
proceeds of export-related contracts or Collateral Requirements must submit a one or two page
purchase orders and a first lien on Same as the SBA EWCP. international business plan, including
export-related accounts receivable. sufficient information to reasonably
• Other collateral may be required. support the likelihood of expanded
How to Apply export sales.
A small business exporter seeking a
How to Apply co-guaranteed loan must apply to a
A small business exporter seeking a lender that is a participant in SBA’s 7(a) Use of Proceeds
• For facilities or equipment, including
guaranteed EWCP loan must apply to a Loan Guaranty Program. PLP and
purchasing land and building(s);
lender. SBAExpress processing are not building new facilities; renovating,
permitted. The lender must submit a improving, or expanding existing
SBA Ex-Im Bank Co-Guarantee completed Joint Application for Working facilities; purchasing or reconditioning
This is designed to provide small Capital Guarantee and loan package to machinery, equipment and fixtures;
business exporters the ability to obtain SBA. SBA evaluates and processes the and making other improvements that
larger export working capital loans application in accordance with SBA rules will be used within the United States
through the Export Working Capital for its Export Working Capital Program. for producing goods or services.
Program than SBA could support alone. Collateral Requirements - Collateral
This program enables U.S. exporters to requirements are the same as for
obtain loans that facilitate the export of regular 7(a) loans.
goods or services. Under this program,
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 25
How to Apply - A small business How to Apply The maximum debenture, or long-term
exporter seeking a guaranteed loan must The application process is the same for loan, is:
apply to an SBA participating lender. the SBAExpress, except the applicant • $1.5 million for businesses that create
Call your local SBA District Office for a a certain number of jobs or improve
must demonstrate that loan proceeds the local economy;
list of participating lenders. will enable it to enter a new export • $2 million for businesses that meet a
market or expand an existing export specific public policy goal, including
export express market. The applicant must submit to
the lender a plan that includes projected
veterans; and
• $4 million for manufacturers.
The Export Express program is Recent additions to the program allow
export sales for the upcoming year as
designed to help SBA meet the export $4 million for each project that reduces
well as the dollar volume of export sales
financing needs of small businesses. It is
for the previous year. the borrower’s energy consumption by at
a subprogram of SBAExpress and is
therefore subject to the same loan least 10 percent; and $4 million for each
processing, making, closing, servicing, communitY aDjustment project that generates renewable energy
fuels, such as biodiesel or ethanol
and liquidation requirements as well as
the same maturity terms, interest rates,
anD investment proGram production. Projects eligible for up to $4
and applicable fees as for other SBA The Community Adjustment & million under one of these two
loans except as noted below. The total Investment Program helps communities requirements do not have to meet the job
Export Express loan cannot exceed that suffered job losses due to changing creation or retention requirement, so
$250,000. SBA guarantees 85 percent trade patterns following the North long as the CDC portfolio average is at
for loans of $150,000 and under and 75 American Free Trade Agreement. The least $50,000.
percent for loans greater than $150,000 North American Development Bank has • Eligible project costs are limited to
to $250,000. SBA allows participating partnered with the SBA and the U.S. long-term, fixed assets such as land
lenders to make their own credit Departments of Agriculture and the and building (occupied by the
decisions. SBA provides a quick Treasury to make credit available to borrower) and substantial machinery
processing time, less than 36 hours. and equipment. Working capital is not
businesses in affected communities to
an eligible use of proceeds.
Eligible Buyers – The same as for the help create or retain jobs. • Most borrowers are required to make
Export Working Capital Program. an injection (borrower contribution) of
Use of Proceeds sba’s non-7(a) loan just 10 percent which allows the
business to conserve valuable
• Finance standby letters of credit used proGrams operating capital. A further injection
for either bid or performance bonds; In addition to the 7(a) Loan Program of 5 percent is needed if the business is
• Finance export development activities SBA has three other non-disaster a start-up or new (less than 2 years
such as export marketing and assistance programs which can help old) and a further injection of 5 percent
promotional activities, participation in small businesses gain access to capital is also required if the primary
foreign trade shows, translation of collateral will be a single purpose
and bonding.
product literature for foreign markets, building.
and other activities designed to initiate • Two-tiered project financing: a lender
or expand the applicant’s export of its certiFieD Development finances approximately 50 percent of
products/services from the U.S.;
• Provide transaction-specific financing
companY loan proGram the project cost and receives a first lien
on the project assets (but no SBA
for overseas orders; (504 loans) guaranty); A CDC (backed by a 100%
SBA-guaranteed debenture) finances
• Provide revolving lines of credit for The 504 Loan Program is an economic
export purposes, the term of which up to 40% of the project costs secured
development program that supports with a junior lien. The borrower
must not exceed seven years. In some American small business growth and
instances, as a normal course of provides the balance of the project
helps communities through business costs.
business, the borrower may use
portions of revolving lines of credit for
expansion and job creation. This SBA • Fixed interest rate on SBA loan. SBA
domestic purposes, but no less than 70 program provides long-term, fixed-rate, guarantees the debenture 100 percent.
subordinate mortgage financing for Debentures are sold in pools monthly
percent of the revolver to be used for
acquisition and/or renovation of capital to private investors. This low, fixed
export related purposes; rate is then passed on to the borrower
• Provide term loans and other financing assets including land, buildings and
and establishes the basis for the loan
to enable small business concerns, equipment. Most for-profit small rate.
including small business export businesses are eligible for this program. • All project-related costs can be
trading companies to develop foreign The types of businesses excluded from financed, including acquisition (land
markets; and 7(a) loans (listed previously) are also and building, land and construction of
• Acquire, construct, renovate, excluded from the 504 loan program. building, renovations, machinery and
modernize, improve or expand Loans are provided through Certified equipment) and soft costs, such as title
production facilities or equipment to be Development Companies. CDCs work insurance and appraisals. Some closing
used in the U.S. in the production of costs may be financed.
with banks and other lenders to make
goods or services to be exported from • Collateral is typically a subordinate
loans in first position on reasonable
the U.S. lien on the assets financed; allows
terms, helping lenders retain growing other assets to be free of liens and
customers and provide Community available to secure other needed
Ineligible Use of Proceeds Redevelopment Act credit.
Proceeds may not be used to finance financing.
The SBA 504 loan is distinguished • Long-term real estate loans are up to
overseas operations, other than those from the SBA 7(a) loan program in these 20-year term, heavy equipment 10 or
strictly associated with the marketing ways: 20-year term and are self-amortizing.
and/or distribution of products/services
exported from the U.S.
26 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
Businesses that receive 504 loans are: Essential Capital Finance, Inc. Black Business Investment Fund of
• Small — net worth under $8.5 million, 1300 Riverplace Blvd., Ste. 105 Central Florida (BBIF)
net profit after taxes under $3 million, Jacksonville, FL 32207 315 E. Robinson St., Ste. 660
or meet other SBA size standards. Contact: Cleve Warren, President & CEO 08 North Garden Ave.
• Organized for-profit. 904-398-9411 • 904-398-4995 Fax Orlando, FL 32601
• Most types of business — retail, cleve.w@essentialcapital.net Contact: Inez Long
service, wholesale or manufacturing. www.essential capital.net 407-649-4780 • 407-649-8688 Fax
The SBA’s 504 certified development Counties Served: Lake, Osceola, Orange and
companies serve their communities by
financing business expansion needs. microloan proGram
Their professional staffs works directly The Microloan Program provides tHe suretY bonD Guarantee
with borrowers to tailor a financing small loans ranging from under $500 to proGram
package that meets program guidelines $35,000. Under this program, the SBA The Surety Bond Guarantee Program
and the credit capacity of the borrower’s makes funds available to nonprofit is a public-private partnership between
business. For information, visit intermediaries that, in turn, make the the federal government and surety
www.sba.gov/services, then choose “SBA loans directly to entrepreneurs, companies that provides small
Loans” from the links in the right-hand including veterans. Proceeds can be used businesses with the bonding assistance
column. Click on “CDC/504 Program.” for typical business purposes such as necessary for them to compete for
Florida Business Development working capital, machinery and government and private contracting
Corporation equipment, inventory and leasehold opportunities. The guarantee provides
ALP/PCLP improvements. Interest rates are incentive for sureties to bond small
6801 Lake Worth Rd., Ste. 209 negotiated between the borrower and the businesses that would otherwise be
Lake Worth, FL 33467 intermediary.
Contact: Emmanuel J. Manos, President unable to obtain bonding. The program
For more information, go to is aimed at small businesses that lack
561-433-0233 • 561-433-8545 Fax
manny@sbdc.net
www.sba.gov/services, then choose “SBA the working capital or performance track
www.fbdc.net Loans” from the links in the right-hand record necessary to secure bonding on a
column. From there, click on “Micro reasonable basis through regular
Florida First Capital Finance Corporation Loans.” commercial channels.
ALP/PCLP Through this program, the SBA
1351 N. Gadsden St. Central Florida Community Development guarantees bid, payment, performance
Tallahassee, FL 32303 Corporation and ancillary bonds issued by surety
Contact: Todd G. Kocourek, CEO 847 Orange Ave. companies for individual contracts of up
888-320-5504 • 850-681-3699 Fax Daytona Beach, FL 32114
info@ffcfc.com Contact: Gerald Chester
to $2 million. Under the American
www.ffcfc.com 877-258-7520 • 386-238-3428 Fax Recovery and Reinvestment Act, SBA
www.cfcdc.com can guarantee up to $5 million, and up
Gulfcoast Business Finance, Inc. Counties Served: Brevard, Volusia and to $10 million on a federal contract, if
ALP/PCLP St. Johns. the contracting officer certifies that the
227 Second Ave. N. guarantee is in the best interest of the
St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Partners For Self Employment, Inc. government. The SBA reimburses
Contact: Ron Reuss, President 3000 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 215 sureties between 70 and 90 percent of
800-850-2504 • 727-822-2504 Fax Miami, FL 33137 losses sustained if a contractor breaches
rreuss@gulfcoastbiz.com Contact: Cornell Crews, Program Director the terms of the contract.
www.gulfcoastbiz.com 305-438-1407 ext. 215 • 305-438-1411 Fax The SBA has two program options
Independent Development Services www.partnersforselfemployment.com available, the Prior Approval Program
Corporation Counties Served: Broward, Miami-Dade and (Plan A) and the Preferred Surety Bond
Monroe.
ALP Program (Plan B). In the Prior
8280 College Pkwy., Ste. 204
The Business Loan Fund of the Palm Approval Program, SBA guarantees 90
Fort Myers, FL 33919-4113
Beaches, Inc. percent of a surety’s paid losses and
Contact: Thomas Wallace, President
2200 N. Florida Mango, Ste. 40 expenses on bonded contracts up to
239-652-5588 • 239-652-9988 Fax $100,000, and on bonded contracts
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
admin@idscorp.org greater than $100,000 that are awarded
Contact: Lia Gaines, Acting Exec. Director
www.idscorp.org
561-478-2337 • 561-478-2339 Fax to socially and economically
Tampa Bay Economic Development www.dlspbc.org disadvantaged and HUBZone
Corporation (TEDCO) Counties Served: Hendry, Indian River, contractors and veterans and service-
7402 N. 56th St., Ste. 425
Martin, Palm Beach, Okeechobee and St. disabled veteran owned small
Tampa, FL 33617
Lucie. businesses. All other bonds guaranteed
Contact: Ken Hornung, President in the Plan A Program receive an 80
813-984-8105 • 813-914-8810 Fax
Minority/Women Business Enterprise percent guarantee. Sureties must obtain
khornung@tedcoloans.com
Alliance, Inc. SBA’s prior approval for each bond
135 E. Colonial Dr., 2nd Fl.
www.tedcoloans.com
Orlando, FL 32801 guarantee issued. Under Plan B, SBA
Contact: Shirley A. Walker guarantees 70 percent, but sureties may
Business Development Corporation of issue, monitor and service bonds without
Northeast Florida 407-428-5860 • 407-428-5869 Fax
www.allianceflorida.com SBA’s prior approval.
644 Cesery Blvd., Ste. 100
Counties Served: Brevard, Orange, Seminole, For more information on the Surety
Jacksonville, Fl 32211
Contact: Steven E. Mahaven, Exec. Director
Osceola, Lake, Volusia, Pinellas and Polk. Bond Guarantee Program, visit SBA’s
904-724-7455 • 904-724-7457 Fax website at: www.sba.gov/osg
smahaven@att.net
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 27
28 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES
FEDERAL PROCUREMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
How to Apply for Government Contracts
The U.S. government is the largest
single purchaser of goods and services in
the world¬, buying everything from
armored tanks to paper clips. Every
year, the federal government awards
more than $500 billion in contracts, and
a significant share of those contracts are
specifically allotted to small businesses.
The SBA works with agencies to
award at least 23 percent of all prime
government contracts to small
businesses, with specific statutory goals
for small businesses that are
disadvantaged, women-owned, service-
disabled veteran-owned, or located in
historically underutilized business zones
(HUBZone).
The agency ensures that small
businesses have access to long-lasting
development opportunities, which means
working with small businesses to help
them stay competitive, as well as
encouraging federal agencies to award
more contracts to small businesses. The
SBA features outreach programs, contracts do not permit any adjustment determined. First, if an acquisition of
matchmaking events, and online on the basis of the contractor’s costs goods or services has an anticipated
training opportunities; and helps during the performance of the contract. dollar value of at least $3,000 but not
agencies identify opportunities for small This type of contract is used in all sealed exceeding $100,000, it is automatically
businesses. bid and some negotiated procurements. reserved for small businesses. The
Cost reimbursement contracts provide acquisition will be set aside only if the
for the payment of allowable costs contracting officer determines there
HoW Government incurred by the contractor, to the extent probably won’t be two or more
contractinG Works stated in the contract. The contract responsible small business concerns that
Sealed bidding vs. Negotiation establishes a ceiling price, above which a are competitive in terms of market
contractor may not exceed without the prices, quality and delivery. Second, if an
There are two methods the
approval of the contracting officer. Cost acquisition of goods or services is more
government uses to purchase goods and
reimbursement contracts are used in than $100,000, and if it’s likely offers
services. The first method, sealed
research contracts that have commercial will be obtained from at least two
bidding, involves issuing an invitation
applicability. responsible small business concerns, and
for bid by a procuring agency. A contract
Some contracts do not fit neatly into if awards will be made at fair market
is usually awarded to the lowest priced
these two categories, such as time and prices, the acquisition is reserved for
bidder. The second method, negotiation,
material contracts (prices for hourly small business concerns. Reasonable
involves issuing a request for proposal or
wages are fixed but the hours are expectations may be evaluated using
quotations, along with the negotiation
estimated) and letter contracts past acquisition history of an item or
for each element in the proposal. The
(authorizes a contractor to begin work on similar items.
business with the best proposal in terms
an urgent requirement). There are several exceptions and
of technical content, price and other
unique rules for specific kinds of small
factors wins the contract.
Small Business Set-Asides businesses and industries. For R&D
A “set-aside” for small businesses small business set-asides, there must be
Types of Contracts reserves an acquisition exclusively for reasonable expectation of obtaining from
Fixed price contracts places the small businesses the best scientific and
small business concerns. There are two
responsibility for the costs and risk of technological sources consistent with the
ways in which set-asides can be
loss on the contractor. Firm fixed price
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 29
• Independently owned and operated?
• Not dominant in the field of operation
in which it is bidding for government
contracts?
• A sole proprietorship, partnership,
corporation, or any other legal form?
If the first six criteria apply to your
business, ask yourself the second
important question to find out if your
business meets size standard
requirements.
2. What is the size standard for your
business?
Size standards are used to determine
whether a business is small or “other
than small”. Size standards vary
depending upon the industry. To
determine the size standard for your
business, you will need a NAICS code
and an SIC code. Every federal agency
uses these codes when considering your
business.
demands of the proposed acquisition. For To find subcontracting opportunities, Some SBA programs require their
small business set-asides other than for find a list of prime contractors through own unique size standards. To find out
construction services, any concern the Subcontracting Directory at more about these requirements and
proposing to furnish a product that it did other size standard information, go to:
www.gsa.gov and www.sba.gov. Research
not itself manufacture must furnish the the primes and determine which are best http://www.sba.gov/contractingopportunities/
product of a small business suited for your business. Develop a officials/size/index.html
manufacturer unless the SBA has marketing strategy, and then contact the 3. Do you fall under a specific
granted either a waiver or exception to Small Business Liaison Officer listed for certification?
the non-manufacturer rule. In industries each prime to schedule an appointment. Under the umbrella of “small
where the SBA finds that there are no business,” SBA has outlined several
small business manufacturers, it may specific certifications that businesses
issue a waiver to the non-manufacturer certiFicate oF competencY may fall under. These certifications are
rule. Waivers permit small businesses to proGram divided into two categories: SBA-
provide any domestic firm’s product. The Certificate of Competency Certified and Self-Certified.
Program allows a small business to The SBA-Certified Programs were
South Florida District Office appeal a contracting officer’s created to assist specific groups in
Procurement Center Representative determination that it is unable to fulfill securing federal contracts and therefore
Government Contracting, Area III
the requirements of a specific can only be granted by SBA
government contract on which it is the administrators. However, you can
Scott Nirk determine for yourself if your business
100 S. Biscayne Blvd., 7th Fl. apparent successful bidder. The SBA
meets the requirements of the Self-
Miami, FL 33131 will conduct a detailed review of the
Certified Programs by referring to the
305-536-5521 ext. 158 firm’s technical and financial capabilities Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
scott.nirk@sba.gov to perform on the contract. If the Just as small businesses have been
business demonstrates the ability to given the goal of procuring 23 percent of
Subcontracting perform, the SBA issues a certificate of federal contracting dollars, so too have a
Subcontracting opportunities are a competency to the contracting officer, few of these certifications been given
great resource to small businesses, requiring award of that contract to the specific contracting goals. These goals
especially to those not ready to bid as small business. are:
prime contractors. Experience gained • 5 percent of contracts go to Small
from subcontracting can better prepare
businesses to bid for larger, prime
WHat You sHoulD knoW Disadvantaged Businesses*
• 5 percent go to Women-Owned Small
contracts. about Your business Businesses
Current regulations stipulate for To be eligible to bid on a federal • 3 percent go to Service-Disabled
contracts offering subcontracting contract, you must know your business. Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
opportunities and that are over $550,000 Answer the following three questions: • 3 percent go to HUBZone Small
for goods and services, or $1 million for 1. Are you a small business? Businesses
construction, large business prime Is your small business: (*Small Disadvantaged Businesses is
contractors must offer maximum • Organized for profit? not a certification program)
practicable opportunity to small • Located in the U.S.? Federal agencies have a strong
businesses. Large business prime • Operated primarily within the U.S. or incentive to fulfill these contracting
contractors must submit a plan making a significant contribution to goals. You should apply for those
describing how they will successfully the U.S. economy through payment of SBA-Certified and Self-Certified
taxes or use of American products, programs for which you qualify to take
subcontract to small businesses. materials, or labor? advantage of contracting opportunities.
30 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
Hubzone Socially disadvantaged individuals are
those who have been subjected to racial
contracting dollars to Service-Disabled
Veteran-Owned Small Businesses each
HUBZones (Historically Underutilized
or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias year.
Business Zones) are SBA-designated
because of their identity as a member of The SDVOSB Protest is administered
geographic regions that have been
a group without regard to their by SBA to ensure that only businesses
historically underutilized. There is a
federal governmentwide goal of individual capabilities. The following owned by service-disabled veterans
awarding at least 3 percent of individuals are presumed to be socially receive contracts reserved exclusively for
contracting dollars to small businesses disadvantaged: Black Americans, Native them. When a business’s SDVOSB self-
in HUBZones. The HUBZone Program Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian certification is challenged, SBA
also establishes preference for award of Pacific Americans, and Subcontinent determines if the business meets the
federal contracts to small businesses in Asian Americans. An individual who is status, ownership, and control
these areas. To be eligible for the not a member of one of these groups requirements.
HUBZone Program, businesses: must establish individual social Veterans and service-disabled
• Must have their headquarters located disadvantage by a preponderance of veterans may participate in all SBA
in a HUBZone; evidence. Economically disadvantaged procurement programs. To determine
• 35 percent of their employees must individuals are socially disadvantaged your eligibility, contact your local
reside in a HUBZone; individuals whose ability to compete in veterans business development officer,
• Must be at least 51 percent owned by the free-enterprise system has been visit the various program websites, or
one or more U.S. citizens, a community contact SBA’s Office of Veterans
impaired due to diminished capital and
development corporation, an
credit opportunities as compared to Business Development at:
agricultural cooperative, or an Indian
tribe. others in the same or similar line of www.sba.gov/vets.
Existing businesses that choose to business who are not socially For additional information, visit:
move to qualified areas are eligible. To disadvantaged. www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/gc/prog
fulfill the requirement that 35 percent of For initial 8(a) Program certification, rams/gc_service_disabled.html.
a HUBZone firm’s employees reside in a the net worth of an individual claiming For more information on certifications
HUBZone, employees must maintain a disadvantage must be less than not described in depth here, refer to the
primary residence in a HUBZone for at $250,000. For continued 8(a) Program glossary of terms on the following page.
least 180 days or be currently registered eligibility after admission, the net worth
to vote in that area.
SBA is responsible for:
must be less than $750,000. In
determining net worth, SBA will exclude
HoW to Get starteD
• Determining whether or not individual the ownership interest in the applicant Once you have identified the
concerns are qualified HUBZone small business and the equity in the primary important information regarding your
business concerns; residence. business, it is time to start the process of
• Maintaining a list of qualified For additional information, visit: procuring a government contract. Take
HUBZone small business concerns for these necessary steps to begin the
www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/8abd/
use by acquisition agencies in bidding process:
awarding contracts under the program;
index.html.
1. Identify your DUNS (Data Universal
• Adjudicating protests and appeals of Numbering System) number
eligibility to receive HUBZone
contracts.
sDb To register your business, obtain a
DUNS number used to identify and
For additional information, visit: An SDB (Small Disadvantaged
track millions of businesses. You can
www.sba.gov/hubzone. Business) is defined as one that is at obtain your free DUNS number by
least 51 percent owned and controlled by contacting Dun & Bradstreet at
one or more individuals who are socially
8(a) business Development and economically disadvantaged.
www.dnb.com.
2. Identify your EIN
proGram Congress has directed that individuals (Employer Identification Number)
The 8(a) Business Development who are members of certain ethnic An EIN, otherwise known as a federal
Program is a nine year program groups are presumed to be tax identification number, is generally
established to assist eligible socially and disadvantaged. Other persons, including required of all businesses. For more
economically disadvantaged individuals women and persons of any race, can also information, go to
develop and grow their businesses. qualify by establishing their www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id
Business development assistance disadvantaged status. =98350,00.html.
Firms self-certify as SDB for federal 3. Identify your NAICS and SIC codes
includes one-to-one counseling, training
The NAICS and SIC codes are used to
workshops, and other management and prime contracts and subcontracts
classify the industry a particular
technical guidance. To be eligible for the without submitting any application to business occupies. To register your
8(a) program, a business must be: SBA. To self-certify, firms should business, supply at least one code.
• A small business; updated their CCR profiles and update Refer to the Glossary for more
• Owned by one or more U.S. citizens; their ORCA profiles, making sure that information.
• Be established for two full years before both profiles reflect their SDB status. 4. Register with the CCR
applying; (Central Contractor Registration)
• Owned (at least 51 percent) and The CCR is an online government-
controlled by one or more individuals sDvosb maintained database of companies
who qualify as socially and
The SDVOSB (Service-Disabled wanting to do business with the
economically disadvantaged; federal government. Agencies search
• Managed and operated by the
Veteran-Owned Small Business)
Program has a federal government-wide the database for prospective vendors.
disadvantaged individual upon whom The CCR is at www.ccr.gov.
eligibility is based. goal of awarding at least 3 percent of
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 31
After completing registration, you will as protégés to improve their ability to
be asked to enter your small business compete in the public and private
profile information through the SBA marketplaces successfully. To find out
more, go to
Supplemental Page. The information www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms
will be displayed in the Dynamic Small /8abd/mentroprogram/index.html.
Business Search. 3. Online Training Programs
Creating a profile in CCR and keeping SBA’s Small Business Training
it current ensures your firm has access Network is a virtual campus complete
to federal contracting opportunities. with courses and programs to help the
small business owner. The free,
Entering your small business profile,
30-minute course, “Business
including your business information and Opportunities: A Guide to Winning
key word description, allows contracting Federal Contracts,” is a good
officers, prime contractors, and buyers introduction for businesses looking to
from state and local governments to obtain a contract with the federal
learn about your company. government. To view this course,
5. ORCA among others, go to
Prospective contractors will need to www.sba.gov/training.
complete paperwork as a part of the 4. Online Podcasts
representations and certifications To make help even more accessible,
process that registers your business. SBA has podcasts on a variety of topics
To make this process easier for that will provide more specific
everyone involved, the government information on SBA, government
developed ORCA (Online contracting, and small businesses. To
Representations and Certifications access these podcasts, go to
Application), where businesses can www.sba.gov/tools/audiovideo/Podcasts
complete all of the paperwork online. 9. Marketing Your Business /index.html
To begin this process, go to Registering your business is not 5. Counseling Services
https://orca.bpn.gov. enough to obtain a federal contract: SBA has a variety of counseling
6. GSA Schedule you will need to market your business services aimed at targeting the various
The GSA (Government Services to attract federal agencies. Tips for needs of small business owners. Some
Administration) Schedule is used by good marketing are: of the counseling services we offer are:
GSA to establish long-term, o Determine which federal agencies o SBA district offices: These offices
government-wide contracts with buy your product or service, and can provide general information
commercial firms. Once these contracts get to know them about SBA and government
are established, the government can o Identify the contracting contracts.
order the services and supplies they procedures of those agencies o SBDCs (Small Business
need directly from the firms through o Focus on opportunities in your Development Centers): SBDCs
the use of an online shopping tool. niche and prioritize provide management assistance to
Becoming a GSA schedule contractor Although not required, you may want current and prospective small
increases your opportunity for to obtain a PSC (Product Services Code) business owners in the form of
contracts across all levels of and/or a FSC (Federal Supply both information and guidance.
government. Businesses interested in Classification). These codes provide o WBCs (Women’s Business
becoming GSA schedule contractors additional information about the services Centers): WBCs exist to help
should review the information women entrepreneurs, especially
and products your business offers.
available at www.gsa.gov/schedules. women who are economically
7. Make Sure Your Business is Financially and/or socially disadvantaged,
Sound available resources start and grow their own business.
This critical step is absolutely This is achieved through
SBA has a variety of services and
necessary to make sure that your comprehensive training and
resources that can provide you with counseling on a vast array of topics
business is financially prepared for the more information and coach you through
journey ahead. Even if you are able to in many languages.
the necessary steps to take in order to be o SCORE - Counselors to America’s
obtain a government contract, you will
not be receiving all of the money at successful in your search for a Small Business: One of SBA’s
once. It helps to have a clear plan of government contract. resource partners, SCORE in a
how your business will stage the 1. The 8(a) Business Development non-profit organization dedicated
benefits of the contract. Program to helping entrepreneurs and
8. FedBizOpps The 8(a) Program provides small business start, grow, and
Federal Business Opportunities, or development support to small succeed nationwide.
FedBizOpps, is an online service businesses that are economically o Office of Veterans Business
operated by the federal government and/or socially disadvantaged. To find Development: The Office of
that announces available business out more, go to Veterans Business Development
opportunities. FedBizOpps helps www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/ aims at maximizing the
identify the needs of federal agencies 8abd/. availability, applicability, and
and available contracting 2. The Mentor Protégé Program usability of SBA programs for
opportunities. To begin searching for The Mentor Protégé Program Veterans, Service-Disabled
contracting opportunities, go to encourages approved mentors to Veterans, Reserve Component
www.fbo.gov. provide various forms of business Members, and their dependents or
assistance to eligible 8(a) participants survivors.
32 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
To find the locations of these offices, or
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
to learn more, go to www.sba.gov/local
resources.
6. Procurement Resources 8(a): The 8(a) Business Development NAICS codes at any time. To find your
There are three main resources Program assists eligible socially and NAICS code, visit www.census.gov/eos/
available for procurement concerns: economically disadvantaged individuals www/naics/index. html.
o PTACs (Procurement Technical develop and grow their business.
Assistance Centers): PTACs Businesses that usually have been in Mentor Protégé Program: The SBA-
provide assistance to businesses existence for at least two years may be sponsored Mentor Protégé Program is a
that want to sell products and eligible for the nine-year program that subset of the 8(a) program. Mentor
services to federal, state, and/or includes counseling, training, and firms are paired with protégé firms to
local government. To find a PTAC provide the assistance to compete
potential federal procurement
in your state, go to
opportunities. successfully for federal contracts. For
www.dla.mil/db/procurem.htm.
o PCRs (Procurement Center
more information, go to www.sba.gov/
Representatives) and CMRs CCR (Central Contractor Registration): aboutsba/sbaprograms/8abd/mentor
(Commercial Marketing The CCR is an online government- program/index.html.
Representatives): PCRs work to maintained database of companies
increase the small business share wanting to do business with the federal Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned: The
of federal procurement awards. government. Agencies search this Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
CMRs offer many services to database for prospective vendors. To Business program is a subset of the
small businesses, including register with the CCR, go to Veteran-Owned Small Business
counseling on how to obtain www.ccr.gov. program, and has a federal
subcontracts. To find a PCR or government-wide goal of awarding at
CMR near you, go to
FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations): least 3 percent of contracting dollars to
http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/
sbaprograms/gcbd/GC_PCRD1. The FAR is the book of official Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
html. acquisition regulations by which Businesses each year.
government programs are defined and
federal agencies determine the SIC (Standard Industrial Classification):
awarding of contracts. To view the SIC codes are four-digit numbers that
complete FAR, go to www.acquisition. are used to classify the industry a
gov/far. particular business occupies. While
NAICS codes have largely replaced SIC
GCBD (Government Contracting and codes, you will still need to provide
Business Development): The Office of your SIC code. SIC codes can be found
Government Contracting and Business at
Development is an office within SBA www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html
that aims to enhance the effectiveness
of small business programs by Veteran-Owned: A veteran-owned
developing policies, regulations, and small business is defined as one that is
statutory changes. Please refer to the at least 51 percent owned and
official website at controlled by one or more veterans; or,
www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sba in the case of any publicly owned
program/gcbd/ index.html. business, at least 51 percent of the
stock is owned by one or more veterans
HUBZone (Historically Underutilized and whose management and daily
Business Zone): HUBZones are SBA- business operations are controlled by
designated geographic regions that one or more veterans. For more
have been historically underutilized. information, go to www.sba.gov/ vets.
Additional Online Resources There is a federal government-wide
goal of awarding at least 3 percent of Women-Owned: A woman-owned
■ Department of Defense (The DoD is contracting dollars to small businesses small business is defined as one that is
the largest purchaser of goods from in HUBZones. In order to be eligible for at least 51 percent owned and
small businesses): the HUBZone program, businesses controlled by one or more women; or, in
www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu the case of any publicly owned
must have their headquarters located
■ Office of Federal Procurement Policy:
in a HUBZone and 35 percent of their business, at least 51 percent of the
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
procurement employees must reside in a HUBZone. stock is owned by one or more women
■ Acquisition Forecast: and whose management and daily
http://acquisition.gov/comp/ NAICS (North American Industry business operations are controlled by
procurement_forecasts/index.html Classification): NAICS codes are six- one or more women. There is a federal
■ Federal Supply Schedule (FSS): digit numbers that are used to classify goal of awarding at least 5 percent of
www.gsa.gov the industry a particular business contracting dollars to women-owned
■ GSA Center for Acquisition Excellence: occupies. You will need at least one small businesses each year. For more
www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/content NAICS code to complete your information, go to www.sba.gov/
View.do?contentType=GSA_ registration, but be sure to list as many aboutsba/sbaprograms/online.wbc
BASIC&contentId=25926
as apply. You may also add or change
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 33
DISASTER RECOVERY &
DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Knowing the Types of Assistance Available for Recovery
More information on all of SBA’s
disaster assistance programs, including
information for military reservists, is
available at: http://www.sba.gov/disaster
assistance.
Disaster Preparedness
For small businesses, surviving a
disaster doesn’t begin with clearing the
he disaster program is SBA’s injury disaster loans to small businesses, debris and returning to work.
T largest direct loan program, small agricultural cooperatives and Surviving begins long before the
and the only SBA program for private nonprofit organizations of all disaster strikes, or before active-duty
entities other than small sizes. The loan limit for economic injury, orders are received – with proper
businesses. SBA is planning. Your planning should include
as a direct result of the disaster event, is
responsible for providing affordable, insurance coverage, emergency power,
$2 million. These working capital loans
timely and accessible financial assistance protection of company records, fire safety,
are intended to be made to entities
to homeowners, renters, businesses of all medical emergencies, taking care of your
without credit elsewhere, as determined employees and continuity planning – how
sizes and private, non-profit by SBA, to help pay ordinary and
organizations following declared your business will continue during and
necessary operating expenses that would after the emergency or disaster.
disasters. By law, governmental units have been payable barring the disaster
and agricultural enterprises are Starting is as easy as clicking on the
event. The limit for physical and EIDL SBA’s Web site at: http://www.sba.gov/
ineligible.
loans combined is $2 million. disaster assistance. The site includes a
The SBA is authorized by the Small
Business Act to make two types of
Military Reservists Economic Injury wealth of information on the SBA’s
disaster loans: Disaster Loans, a type of economic injury disaster recovery programs for home-
loan, are available for up to $2 million to owners and renters, and businesses of all
assist eligible small businesses meet sizes. There are articles on emergency
Physical Disaster Loans
Physical Disaster Loans are the their ordinary and necessary operating planning for disasters, descriptions of
primary source of funding for permanent expenses that they could have met, but SBA’s programs, and links to
rebuilding and replacement of uninsured are unable to meet, because an essential government and industry Web sites with
or underinsured disaster-caused employee was “called up” to active duty great planning information.
damages to privately-owned real and/or in his/her role as a military reservist. Additionally, to help small businesses
personal property. SBA’s physical These loans are intended to provide only with their preparedness planning, SBA
disaster loans are available to the amount of working capital needed by has teamed up with Agility Recovery
homeowners, renters, businesses of all a small business to pay its necessary Solutions to encourage small businesses
sizes and private nonprofit organizations obligations as they mature until to take the necessary steps to protect
of all sizes. A homeowner may apply for a operations return to normal after the their employees, important records and
loan of up to $200,000 to repair or essential employee is released from their business assets. SBA and Agility
replace the primary residence to its pre- active military duty. have partnered to provide an educational
disaster condition. Homeowners or tool for small business owners via the
For all disaster loans, SBA can only
renters may apply for a loan up to Prepare My Business Web site
approve loans to applicants having a
$40,000 to help repair or replace personal (www.preparemy business.org).
credit history acceptable to SBA and who
property, such as clothing, furniture or As small businesses are leading
also show the ability to repay the loans. America’s economic recovery, many of
automobiles, lost in the disaster. The terms of each loan are established in
Businesses and private, nonprofit them are investing time and money into
accordance with each borrower’s ability their plans to grow and create jobs.
organizations of any size may apply for a to repay. The law gives SBA several
loan up to $2 million (actual loan Developing a strong disaster prepared-
powerful tools to make disaster loans ness plan should be a critical and
amounts are based on the amount of affordable: low-interest rates (around 4
uncompensated damage) to repair or integral piece of those efforts. Planning
percent), long-terms (up to 30 years), and for a disaster is the best way of limiting
replace real property, machinery,
refinancing of prior liens (in some cases). its effects.
equipment, fixtures, inventory and
As required by law, the interest rate for
leasehold improvements. Other helpful sites include:
each loan is based on SBA’s
determination of whether each applicant Department of Homeland Security
Economic Injury Disaster Loans does or does not have credit available (DHS) and the Federal Emergency
Economic injury disaster loans provide Management Agency (FEMA) -
elsewhere (the ability to borrow or use
the necessary working capital after a www.ready.gov
their own resources to overcome the Red Cross Ready Rating Program -
declared disaster until normal operations
disaster).
resume. The law restricts economic www.readyrating.org
34 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
ADVOCACY
WATCHING OUT FOR YOU
The SBA is Your Voice in Washington
oFFice oF aDvocacY nonprofit organizations), and consider
regulatory alternatives that minimize
owners, nonprofit organizations and
small government entities. Comments
The SBA’s Office of Advocacy, the the economic burden on small entities. are forwarded to federal agencies for
“small business watchdog” of the Advocacy’s mission is enhanced by a review, and in some cases fines may be
government, examines the role and team of regional advocates, located in lowered or eliminated and decisions
status of small business in the economy the SBA’s 10 regions. They are changed in favor of the small business
and independently represents the views Advocacy’s direct link to small business owners. Each year the National
of small business to federal agencies, owners, state and local government Ombudsman files a report with the U.S.
Congress, the President and federal entities, and organizations that support Congress on the responsiveness of
appellate courts as friends of the court. the interests of small entities. The federal agencies regarding their actions
Advocacy compiles and interprets regional advocates help identify of regulatory and compliance
statistics on small business and is the regulatory concerns of small business by enforcement on small businesses.
primary entity within the federal monitoring the impact of federal and To request help, send the National
government to disseminate small state policies at the grassroots level. Ombudsman a complete Federal Agency
business data. Learn more about the Office of Comment Form. You may do this by fax
Headed by the Chief Counsel for Advocacy at: www.sba.gov/advo. at 202-481-5719; online at the
Advocacy, the office also funds outside Ombudsman’s Web page:
research of small business issues and
produces numerous publications to oFFice oF tHe national http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman; or by mail
at 409 Third Street S.W., Mail Code
inform policy makers about the ombuDsman 2120, Washington, DC 20416.
important role of small business in the If excessive fines, penalties or unfair The Ombudsman also coordinates 10
economy and the impact of government regulatory enforcement by federal Regional Regulatory Fairness Boards
policies on small business. In addition, agencies are problems for your small which meet regularly to receive
the office monitors federal agency business, you have a voice in comments about federal regulations
compliance with the Regulatory Washington, D.C., through the SBA’s affecting small businesses.
Flexibility Act – the law that requires Office of the National Ombudsman. Learn more about the National
agencies to analyze the impact of their The Ombudsman receives comments
proposed regulations on small entities Ombudsman from the Web site above or
regarding federal regulatory call 888-REG-FAIR.
(including small businesses, small enforcement from small business
governmental jurisdictions and small
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 35
OTHER ASSISTANCE
Chambers of Commerce ENGLEWOOD CoC HALLANDALE CoC MELBOURNE-PALM BAY AREA CoC
APOLLO BEACH CoC 941-474-5511 • 941-475-9257 F 954-454-0541 • 954-454-0930 F 321-724-5400 • 321-725-2093 F
813-645-1366 • 813-641-2612 F ESTERO CoC HALLANDALE-PEMBROKE PARK CoC MIAMI BEACH CoC
AUBURNDALE CoC 239-948-7990 • 239-947-9968 F 954-454-0541 • 954-454-0930 F 305-672-1270 • 305-538-4336 F
863-967-3400 • 863-967-0880 F EVERGLADES CITY CoC HARDEE COUNTY/WAUCHULA CoC MIAMI CoC SOUTH
AVENTURA CoC 239-695-3941 • 239-695-3172 F 863-773-6967 • 863-773-0229 F 305-661-1621 • 305-666-0508 F
305-935-2131 • 305-690-9124 F FLORIDA COC HIALEAH CoC MIAMI LAKES CoC
AVENTURA MARKETING COUNCIL FLORIDA GOLD COAST/BAY HARBOR 305-687-5555 • 305-556-7333 F 305-556-2212 • 305-821-2349 F
305-935-2131 • 305-690-9124 F ISLANDS CoC HIALEAH-LATIN CoC MIAMI-DADE CoC
AVON PARK CoC 305-866-6020 • 305-866-0635 F 305-828-9898 • 305-828-9777 F 305-751-8648 • 305-758-3839 F
863-453-3350 • 863-453-0973 F FORT MEADE CoC HOBE SOUND CoC MIRAMAR-PEMBROKE CoC
BELLE GLADE CoC 863-285-8253 • 863-285-6968 F 772-546-4724 • 772-546-9969 F 954-432-9808 • 954-432-9193 F
561-996-2745 • 561-996-2252 F FORT MYERS BEACH CoC HOMESTEAD-FLORIDA CITY CoC NAPLES AREA CoC
BOCA GRANDE CoC 239-454-7500 • 239-454-7910 F 305-247-2332 • 305-246-1100 F 239-262-6376 • 239-262-8374 F
941-964-0568 • 941-964-0260 F FROSTPROOF CoC IMMOKALEE CoC NORTH DADE CoC
BOCA GRANDE CoC FT. PIERC/ST. LUCIE COUNTY CoC 239-657-3237 • 239-657-5450 F 305-690-9123 • 305-690-9124 F
941-964-0568 • 941-964-2060 F 772-595-9999 • 772-461-9084 F INDIAN RIVER COUNTY CoC NORTH FORT MYERS CoC
BONITA SPRINGS AREA CoC GATEWAY AREA CoC 772-567-3491 • 772-778-3181 F 239-997-9111 • 239-997-4026 F
239-992-2943 • 239-992-5011 F GLADES COUNTY/MOOREHAVEN CoC INDIANTOWN CoC NORTH MIAMI BEACH CoC
BOYNTON BEACH CoC 863-946-0440 • 863-946-2282 F 772-597-2184 • 772-597-6063 F 305-944-8500 • 305-944-8191 F
561-732-9501 • 561-734-4304 F GREATER BARTOW CoC ISLAMORADA CoC NORTH MIAMI CoC
BRADENTON/HOLMES BEACH CoC 863-533-7125 • 863-533-3793 F 305-664-4503 • 305-664-4289 F 305-891-7811 • 305-893-8522 F
941-778-1541 • 941-778-9679 F GREATER BOCA RATON CoC JENSEN BEACH CoC OAKLAND PARK/WILTON MANORS CoC
BROWARD COUNTY CoC 561-395-4433 • 561-392-3780 F 772-334-3444 • 772-334-0817 F 954-568-7755 • 954-568-7733 F
954-565-5750 • 954-566-3398 F GREATER BRANDON CoC KEY BISCAYNE CoC OKEECHOBEE COUNTY CoC
CAMACOL-LATIN CoC 813-689-1221 • 813-689-9440 F 305-361-5207 • 305-361-9411 F 863-763-6464 • 863-763-3531 F
CAPE CORAL CoC GREATER DADE CITY CoC KEY LARGO CoC UPPER TAMPA BAY REGIONAL CoC
239-549-6900 • 239-549-9609 F 352-567-3769 • 352-567-3770 F 800-822-1088 • 305-451-4726 F 813-855-4233 • 813-854-1237 F
COC OF THE PALM BEACHES GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CoC KEY WEST CoC PAHOKEE CoC
561-833-3711 • 561-833-5582 F 954-462-6000 • 954-527-8766 F 305-294-2587 • 305-294-7806 F 561-924-5579 • 561-924-8116 F
CHAMBER OF CS/JUPITER, TEQUESTA GREATER FORT MYERS CoC KISSIMMEE CoC PALM BEACH CoC
& JUNO BEACH 239-332-3624 • 239-332-7276 F 407-847-3174 • 407-870-8607 F 561-655-3282 • 561-655-7191 F
561-746-7111 • 561-746-7715 F GREATER HOLLYWOOD CoC LAKE ALFRED CoC PALM BEACH GARDENS CoC
CHAMBER OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA 954-923-4000 • 954-923-8737 F LAKE PLACID CoC 561-694-2300 • 561-694-0126 F
239-278-4001 • 239-278-3319 F GREATER LABELLE CoC 863-465-4331 • 863-465-2588 F PALM CITY CoC
CHARLOTTE COUNTY/PUNTA GORDA 863-675-0125 • 863-675-6160 F LAKE WALES AREA CoC 772-286-8121 • 772-286-3331 F
CHAMBER GREATER MARATHON CoC 863-676-3445 • 863-676-3446 F PALM HARBOR CoC
941-639-2222 • 941-639-6330 F 800-262-7284 • 305-289-0183 F LAKE WORTH CoC 727-784-4287 • 727-786-2336 F
CLEARWATER BEACH CoC GREATER MIAMI CoC 561-582-4401 • 561-547-8300 F PARKLAND CoC
727-447-7600 • 727-443-7812 F 305-350-7700 • 305-374-6902 F LAKELAND CoC 954-346-7275 • 561-750-9781 F
CLEARWATER CoC GREATER MIAMI SHORES CoC 863-688-8551 • 863-683-7454 F PERRINE CoC
727-461-0011 • 727-449-2889 F 305-754-5466 • 305-759-8872 F LANTANA CoC 305-238-7192 • 305-666-0508 F
CLEWISTON CoC GREATER MULBERRY CoC 561-585-8664 • 561-585-0644 F PINELLAS PARK CoC
863-983-7979 • 863-983-7108 F 863-425-4414 • 863-425-3837 F LARGO MID-PINELLAS CoC 727-544-4777 • 727-209-0837 F
COCOA BEACH AREA CoC GREATER PALM BAY CoC 727-584-2321 • 727-586-3112 F PLANT CITY CoC
321-459-2200 • 321-459-2232 F 321-951-9998 • 321-951-0012 F LATIN COC OF BROWARD COUNTY 813-754-3707 • 813-752-8793 F
COCONUT CREEK CoC GREATER PALM HARBOR CoC 954-625-6616 • 954-625-6693 F POMPANO BEACH CoC
954-556-4811 • 954-556-1904 F 727-784-4287 • 727-786-2336 F LAUDERDALE-BY-SEA CoC 954-941-2940 • 954-785-8358 F
COCONUT GROVE CoC GREATER PINE ISLAND CoC 954-776-1000 • 954-776-6203 F PORT CHARLOTTE CoC
305-444-7270 • 305-444-2498 F 239-283-0888 • 239-283-0336 F LAUDERDALE LAKES CoC 941-627-2222 • 941-627-9730 F
CORAL GABLES CoC GREATER PLANTATION CoC 954-732-4000 • 954-733-7444 F PUERTO RICAN CoC
305-446-1657 • 305-446-9900 F 954-587-1410 • 954-587-1886 F LEE COUNTY CoC OF BROWARD COUNTY
CORAL SPRINGS CoC GREATER RIVERVIEW CoC 239-931-0931 • 239-931-0917 F 954-559-5355 • 954-983-5327 F
954-752-4242 • 954-827-0543 F 813-643-8000 • 813-643-8500 F LEHIGH ACRES CoC PUERTO RICAN CoC OF SOUTH FLORIDA
DANIA BEACH CoC GREATER SEFFNER AREA CoC 239-369-3322 • 239-368-0500 F 305-571-8006 • 305-571-8007 F
954-926-2323 • 954-926-2384 F GREATER SEMINOLE AREA CoC LIGHTHOUSE POINT CoC PUERTO RICAN CoC SARASOTA/MANATEE
DAVIE-COOPER CITY CoC 727-392-3245 • 727-397-7753 F 954-782-5647 • 954-782-6540 F RUSKIN CoC
954-581-0790 • 954-581-9684 F GREATER SOUTH DADE CoC LONGBOAT KEY CoC 813-645-3808 • 813-645-2099 F
DEERFIELD BEACH CoC 305-661-1621 • 305-666-0508 F 941-383-2466 • 941-383-8217 F SAFETY HARBOR CoC
954-427-1050 • 954-427-1056 F GREATER SUNRISE CoC LOWER KEYS CoC 727-726-2890 • 727-726-2733 F
DELRAY BEACH CoC 954-835-2428 • 954-835-2431 F 305-872-2411 • 305-872-0752 F SANIBEL/CAPTIVA ISLANDS CoC
561-278-0424 • 561-278-0555 F GREATER TAMPA CoC LOXAHATCHEE CoC 239-472-1080 • 239-472-1070 F
DESOTO COUNTY CoC 813-228-7777 • 813-223-7899 F 561-790-6200 • 561-791-2069 F SARASOTA CoC
863-494-4033 • 863-494-3312 F GREATER TEMPLE TERRACE CoC LUTZ/CENTRAL PASCO CoC 941-955-2508 x235 • 941-366-5621 F
DORAL & AIRPORT WEST CoC 813-989-7004 • 813-989-7005 F 813-909-2722 • 813-909-0827 F SEBASTIAN RIVER CoC
305-244-1641 • 305-471-0187 F GULF BEACHES OF TAMPA BAY CoC MANATEE/PALMETTO CoC 772-589-5969 • 772-589-5993 F
DUNDEE AREA CoC 727-360-6957 • 727-360-2233 F 941-748-3411 • 941-745-1877 F SEBRING CoC
863-439-3261 • 863-439-3261 F GULFPORT CoC MARCO ISLAND AREA CoC 863-385-8448 • 863-385-8810 F
DUNEDIN CoC 727-344-3711 • 727-344-5461 F 239-394-7549 • 239-394-3061 F SEMINOLE CoC
727-736-5066 • 727-734-8942 F HAINES CITY CoC MARGATE CoC 727-392-3245 • 727-455-0285 F
863-422-3751 • 863-422-4704 F 954-582-0399 • 954-580-0107 F
36 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
OTHER ASSISTANCE
SEMINOLE COUNTY CoC STUART/MARTIN COUNTY CoC TREASURE ISLAND CoC WINTER HAVEN CoC
407-333-4748 • 407-829-2100 F 772-287-1088 • 772-220-3437 F 727-360-4121 • 727-360-4609 F 863-293-2138 • 863-297-5818 F
SO. FLORIDA/BROWARD INT'L CoC SUN CITY AREA CoC VENICE CoC WOMEN'S CoC
561-542-8664 • 561-362-8227 F 813-634-5111 • 813-634-8438 F 941-488-2236 • 941-484-5903 F 305-446-6660 • 305-675-8523 F
SOUTH FLORIDA HISPANIC CoC TAMARAC CoC VENICE CoC YBOR CITY CoC
OF SOUTH FLORIDA 954-722-1520 • 954-721-2725 F 941-488-2236 • 941-484-5903 F 813-248-3712 • 813-247-1764 F
305-534-1903 • 305-534-8365 F TAMPA BAY HISPANIC CHAMBER WELLINGTON CoC ZEPHYRHILLS CoC
ST. CLOUD CoC 813-414-9411 • 813-414-0811 F 561-792-6525 • 561-792-6200 F 813-782-1913 • 813-783-6060 F
407-892-3671 • 407-892-5289 F TARPON SPRINGS CoC WEST PASCO CoC
ST. PETERSBURG AREA CoC 727-937-6109 • 727-937-2879 F 727-842-7651 • 727-848-0202 F
727-821-4069 • 727-895-6326 F TITUSVILLE AREA CoC WESTON AREA CoC
321-267-3036 • 321-264-0127 F 954-389-0600 • 954-384-6133 F
TOP LENDERS
2010 Active CITIBANK, N.A. FIRST BANK & TRUST OF HSBC BANK USA, N.A. PRIME BANK TOTALBANK
Miami, FL INDIANTOWN Fort Lauderdale, FL Melbourne, FL Miami, FL
Lenders 305-599-5422 Palm City, FL 954-467-8772 321-751-6999 305-476-6206
772-283-6803
1ST UNITED BANK INTERCREDIT BANK, N.A.
CITY NATIONAL BANK PROFESSIONAL BANK UNITED MIDWEST SAVINGS
West Palm Beach, FL Miami, FL
OF FLORIDA FIRST COMMUNITY BANK Coral Gables, FL BANK
561-616-3021 305-375-8442
Miami, FL OF SW FLORIDA 786-406-7624 Altamonte Springs, FL
305-577-7325 Juno Beach, FL JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, 407-331-5564
BANCO POPULAR NORTH
866-330-0686 N.A. RBC BANK (USA)
AMERICA
COMMUNITY BANK All branch offices Palm Beach Gardens, FL UPS CAPITAL BUSINESS
Miami, FL
OF BROWARD FIRST NATIONAL BANK 561-622-4286 CREDIT
305-639-2049
Weston, FL OF SOUTH MIAMI KEYBANK, N.A. Davie, FL
954-377-0903 Miami, FL All branch offices REGENT BANK 954-680-7454
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
305-412-5255 Fort Lauderdale, FL
Miami, Fl
COMMUNITY BANK OF LIVE OAK BANK 954-765-0747 WACHOVIA BANK, NA
305-789-3152
FLORIDA FIRST PEOPLES BANK Saint Petersburg, FL All branch offices
Homestead, FL Port St. Lucie, FL 727-576-0123 REGIONS BANK
BANKATLANTIC
305-242-4614 772-398-1388 All branch offices WELLS FARGO BANK, NA
Fort lauderdale, FL
M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY All branch offices
954-940-5283
COMMUNITY BANK FLAGLER BANK BANK SABAL PALM BANK
BANKFIRST
OF MANATEE Fort Lauderdale, FL Bradenton, FL Sarasota, FL OTHER
Bradenton, FL 954-928-3820 941-795-3050 941-361-1122
Melbourne, FL
941-714-7715 or
PARTICIPANT
321-953-2265
941-756-0099 FLAGSHIP COMMUNITY MARINE BANK & TRUST STEARNS BANK, N.A. LENDERS
BANK COMPANY Sarasota, FL
BAY CITIES BANK Vero Beach, FL 1ST MANATEE BANK
COMMUNITY SOUTH BANK Clearwater, FL 941-366-1931
Tampa, FL 772-231-6611 Parrish, FL
Youngstown, FL 727-451-5053
813-281-0009 941-776-3419
850-722-7093 MERCANTIL SUNCOAST SCHOOLS FCU
FLORIDA SHORES BANK- COMMERCEBANK, N.A. Tampa, FL
BAY GULF CREDIT UNION 1ST NATIONAL BANK
CONTINENTAL NATIONAL SOUTHEAST Coral Gables, FL 813-621-7511
Tampa, FL OF SOUTH FLORIDA
BANK OF MIAMI Pompano Beach, FL 305-441-8415
813-932-1301 Homestead, FL
Miami, FL 954-876-2315 SUNTRUST BANK
305-643-8244 All branch offices 305-247-5541
BORREGO SPRINGS BANK NEWTEK SMALL BUSINESS
FLORIDA SHORES BANK- FINANCE, INC.
Panama City Beach, FL ACHIEVA CREDIT UNION
EUROBANK SOUTHWEST Wellington, FL SUPERIOR FINANCIAL
866-644-0042 Clearwater, FL
Coral Gables, FL Venice, FL 800-749-8707 GROUP, LLC
Melbourne, FL 727-431-7490
305-350-1100 941-237-2006 Walnut Creek, CA
321-723-7413
OCEAN BANK 925-296-0500
FARM CREDIT OF SW GULFSHORE BANK AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK
BUSEY BANK Miami, FL
FLORIDA, ACA Tampa, FL SYNOVUS BANK Oakland Park, FL
Fort Myers, FL 305-442-2660
Arcadia, FL 813-418-3041 Saint Petersburg, FL 954-491-7788
239-689-6174
863-494-0500 PATRIOT BANK 727-824-8726
HIGHLANDS INDEPENDENT ANDEREN BANK
CALUSA NATIONAL BANK Trinity, FL
FIFTH THIRD BANK BANK TD BANK, N.A. Palm Harbor, FL
Port Charlotte, FL 727-376-1776
Boca Raton, FL Sebring, FL Fort Lauderdale, FL 727-771-4667
941-564-3110
561-367-4309 863-314-9797 PILOT BANK 954-233-2032
BAC FLORIDA BANK
CENTRAL BANK Tampa, FL
FIRST AMERICAN BANK HOMEBANC, N.A. THE BANK OF COMMERCE Coral Gables, FL
Tampa, FL 813-349-4543
Fort Myers, FL Naples, FL Sarasota, FL 305-789-7000
813-549-4212
239-277-1116 239-348-3971 PINNACLE BANK 941-328-6792
BANCO INTERNACIONAL DE
CIT SMALL BUSINESS Orange City, FL
FIRST BANK - CLEWISTON HORIZON BANK THE PALM BANK COSTA RICA, S.A.
LENDING 386-774-0977
Clewiston, FL Bradenton, FL Tampa, FL Coral Gables, FL
Fort Lauderdale, FL 305-374-0855
863-983-8191 941-753-2265 PNC BANK, N.A. 813-250-0071
954-938-8516
Pembroke Pines, FL
Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south SOUTH FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE — 37
TOP LENDERS
BANK LEUMI USA CRESTMARK BANK FIRST COMMUNITY BANK GRAND BANK & TRUST LANDMARK BANK, N.A. SABADELL UNITED BANK
Boca Raton, FL West Palm Beach, FL OF AMERICA OF FLORIDA Fort Lauderdale, FL Miami, FL
561-544-1618 561-833-7006 Saint Petersburg, FL West Palm Beach, FL 954-771-5525 305-358-4334
727-520-8837 561-615-5007
BANK OF BELLE GLADE DESJARDINS BANK, N.A. MAGNIFY CREDIT UNION SECURITY BANK
Belle Glade, FL Hallandale, FL FIRST EAST SIDE SAVINGS GREAT EASTERN BANK Mulberry, FL N. Fort Lauderdale, FL
561-996-6711 954-454-1001 BANK OF FLORIDA 863-774-1103 954-971-9890
Tamarac, FL Miami, FL
BANK OF CORAL GABLES EASTERN NATIONAL BANK 954-721-3400 305-716-9000 MANATEE RIVER SOUTHERN COMMERCE
Coral Gables, FL Miami, FL COMMUNITY BANK BANK
305-500-9501 305-995-5800 FIRST HOME BANK GROW FINANCIAL FEDERAL Palmetto, FL Tampa, FL
Seminole, FL CREDIT UNION 941-722-2992 813-621-2080
BANK OF NAPLES EDISON NATIONAL BANK 727-394-2265 Tampa, FL
Naples, FL Fort Myers, FL 813-837-2451 MARQUIS BANK SOUTHWEST CAPITAL BANK,
239-213-6779 239-466-1800 FIRST NATIONAL BANK North Miami Beach, FL N.A.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA GTE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 305-650-0651 Fort Myers, FL
BANKUNITED ENGLEWOOD BANK Panama City, FL Tampa, FL 239-333-2802
Miami Lakes, FL Englewood, FL 850-769-3207 813-414-6553 MERCANTILE BANK
305-231-6627 941-475-6771 Coral Gables, FL STERLING BANK
FIRST NATIONAL BANK GULFSTREAM BUSINESS 305-441-2222 Lantana, FL
BBU BANK ESPIRITO SANTO BANK OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BANK 561-656-3057
Coral Gables, FL OF FLORIDA Winter Park, FL Stuart, FL MIDFLORIDA FEDERAL
786-552-0537 Miami, FL 407-539-7729 772-426-8100 CREDIT UNION STONEGATE BANK
305-539-7700 Lakeland, FL Jupiter, FL
BROWARD BANK OF FIRST NATIONAL BANK HELM BANK 863-616-2182 561-354-4275
COMMERCE EXECUTIVE NATIONAL BANK OF PASCO Miami, FL
Fort Lauderdale, FL Miami, FL Dade City, FL 305-379-4356 NATBANK, N.A. TAMPA BAY FEDERAL
954-761-4900 305-273-2915 352-521-3727 Hollywood, FL CREDIT UNION
HERITAGE BANK OF 954-923-4933 Tampa, FL
CAJA MEDITERRANEO FAIRWINDS CREDIT UNION FIRST NATIONAL BANK FLORIDA 813-247-4414
MIAMI Orlando, FL OF WAUCHULA Lutz, FL NATIONAL BANK OF
Miami, FL 407-277-6030 Wauchula, FL 813-909-8663 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA TERRABANK, NA
305-421-6573 863-773-4136 Port Charlotte, FL Miami, FL
FARM CREDIT OF INDIAN RIVER NATIONAL 941-258-3475 305-448-4898
CHARLOTTE STATE BANK SOUTH FLORIDA, ACA FIRST SOUTHERN BANK BANK
Port Charlotte, FL Vero Beach, FL Boca Raton, FL Vero Beach, FL NORTHERN TRUST BANK THE BANK OF MIAMI, N.A.
941-624-5400 772-770-2535 561-392-1772 772-569-9200 OF FLORIDA Coral Gables, FL
Miami, FL 305-854-8800
CITIZENS BANK AND TRUST FEDERAL TRUST BANK FIRST STATE BANK INTERAMERICAN BANK, FSB 305-789-1336
Frostproof, FL Sanford, FL OF THE FLORIDA KEYS Hialeah, FL THE BANK OF TAMPA
863-635-2244 407-323-1833 Key West, FL 305-824-0001 NORTHSTAR BANK Tampa, FL
305-296-8535 Tampa, FL 813-872-1216
CITIZENS COMMUNITY FIRST AMERICA BANK INTERNATIONAL FINANCE 813-549-5030
BANK Osprey, FL FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & BANK TIB BANK
OF FLORIDA 941-918-2265 TRUST CO. Miami, FL OCULINA BANK Naples, FL
Marco Island, FL Boca Raton, FL 305-648-8874 Vero Beach, FL 239-598-5889
941-389-1800 FIRST BANK OF MIAMI 561-544-1908 772-563-2212
Coral Gables, FL INTERVEST BANK U.S. CENTURY BANK
COCONUT GROVE BANK 305-444-7600 FIRSTCITY BANK OF Clearwater, FL ORLANDO NATIONAL BANK Miami, FL
Miami, FL COMMERCE 727-442-2551 Longwood, FL 305-260-9400
305-808-4012 FIRST BANK OF THE PALM North Palm Beach, FL 407-831-1776
BEACHES 561-630-5595 JEFFERSON BANK OF UNION CREDIT BANK
COMMUNITY BANK West Palm Beach, FL FLORIDA PACIFIC NATIONAL BANK Miami, FL
OF THE SOUTH 561-847-2700 FLORIDA BANK Oldsmar, FL Miami, FL 305-398-9065
Merritt Island, FL Tampa, FL 727-781-7500 305-539-7500
FIRST CITRUS BANK
321-452-0420 813-347-5478 UNION STATE BANK
Brandon, FL PARADISE BANK
JGB BANK, NATIONAL Naples, FL
813-864-0934 Boca Raton, FL
COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION FLORIDA BUSINESS BANK ASSOCIATION 239-417-0276
OF FLORIDA Melbourne, FL Miami, FL 561-392-5444
FIRST COAST COMMUNITY
Rockledge, FL BANK 321-253-1555 305-418-6000 PREMIER AMERICAN BANK, USF FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
321-637-3138 Fernandina Beach, FL N.A. Tampa, FL
904-277-5292 FLORIDIAN COMMUNITY KENNEDY SPACE CENTER Miami, FL 813-569-2000
COMMUNITY NATIONAL BANK CREDIT UNION 305-662-4512
BANK OF BARTOW FIRST COMMERCIAL BANK Davie, FL Merritt Island, FL VALRICO STATE BANK
Bartow, FL OF FLORIDA 954-434-8050 321-455-9400 PREMIER COMMUNITY Valrico, FL
863-533-0475 Lake Mary, FL BANK OF FLORIDA 813-689-1231
407-328-3163 GE CAPITAL SMALL LANDMARK BANK OF Largo, FL
CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY BUSINESS FINANCE CORP. FLORIDA 727-585-3111 WAUCHULA STATE BANK
BANK FIRST COMMERCIAL BANK Maitland, FL Sarasota, FL Wauchula, FL
Saint Petersburg, FL OF TAMPA BAY 407-771-0020 or 941-954-5100 REPUBLIC BANK OF FLORIDA 941-773-4151
727-526-5678 Tampa, FL 770-690-9100 Tampa, FL
813-281-5131 813-989-3680
38 — Small Business Resource SOUTH FLORIDA Visit us online: www.sba.gov/fl/south
