Doing Business in Florida

Florida is a proud national leader in the support and promotion of business development and expansion. The entrepreneurial spirit, a vast and modern infrastructure, and a plentiful and skilled workforce, combine to offer your business the perfect blend of opportunity and optimism. As a gateway for International trade, Florida is perfectly positioned with convenient and regular access to the Caribbean, Latin America, South America, Europe and Africa. Add to the mix an unparalleled quality of life, including a vibrant arts and cultural community, excellent educational institutions with unprecedented intellectual capital, and our remarkable sun, surf and sand. Florida is a unique and special place to do business.

The 17 million people who call Florida home represent a diverse and synergistic blend of cultures, language and heritage. A warm welcome awaits you in Florida, and we work hard to create the most business friendly environment you can find anywhere. The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce works daily in partnership with the State of Florida and the robust economic development resources to provide your business with all of the tools, contacts, and infrastructure needed for success and growth. For your business needs, we can tailor a program to help meet your needs and objectives. We can help you cut through the vast array of agencies and business support networks to pinpoint the resources that you need now. Call us today at 305-350-7700 or write us at info@miamichamber.com.

Below you will find links to some of the premier resources for business at the state level. We also include here key sites within the US Department of Commerce that can be of assistance.

In addition, visit the DOING BUSINESS IN MIAMI pages for resources in Miami-Dade and its communities, and our DOING BUSINESS IN SOUTH FLORIDA pages for additional organizations and specific agencies at the local and regional level.

KEY BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AND SUPPORT AGENCIES

E-FLORIDABUSINESS.COM
Efloridabusiness.com is the Internet presence of the International Services Network, Florida's first official online business center dedicated exclusively to Florida service industries. This program was created by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Enterprise Florida, Florida International University's Institute for International Professional Services, and the U.S. Commercial Service, to facilitate commerce between Florida's service firms and companies worldwide.

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is the public-private partnership responsible for leading Florida's statewide economic development efforts. EFI was formed in July 1996, when Florida became the first state in the nation to replace its Commerce Department with a public-private organization that's responsible for economic development, international trade and statewide business marketing. This is the State of Florida's primary economic development organization.

EFI also works collaboratively with a statewide network of regional and local economic development organizations ("Partners") to continually improve Florida's business climate and ensure its global competitiveness.

STATE OF FLORIDA'S GOVERNMENT WEB PORTAL FOR BUSINESS

THE STATE OF FLORIDA GOVERNMENT PORTAL - myflorida.com

FLORIDA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
The mission of the Florida Economic Development Council is to advance economic development in Florida and to enhance the professionalism of its members through education, interaction, and the exchange of information with business, government, and all other appropriate organizations.

THE FLORIDA HIGH TECH COUNCIL
Florida's High Tech Corridor Council's mission is to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it within the 23-county Florida High Tech Corridor.

WORKFORCE FLORIDA
Workforce Florida, Inc. was created by Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature with the passage of the Workforce Innovation Act of 2000, Chapter 445, Florida Statutes. A 45-member board appointed by the Governor oversees and monitors the administration of the state's workforce policy, programs and services carried out by the 24 business-led Regional Workforce Boards and the Agency for Workforce Innovation. Direct services are provided at nearly 100 One-Stop Centers with locations in every county in the state.

IT FLORIDA
IT Florida's Mission is to Make Florida A Leader in High Tech Advancement by serving as an umbrella organization comprised of both public and private technology leaders for high tech in the state, providing guidance to the state on technology issues and initiatives; guiding the Governor, the Legislature, and Enterprise Florida on the strategic technology direction and initiatives of the state; and working to ensure the successful integration of technology infrastructure statewide.

FLORIDA RESEARCH CONSORTIUM
The Florida Research Consortium is a strategic partnership between Florida's universities, the business community, and state government. The FRC is focused on enhancing cutting-edge research programs at Florida's public and private universities and adding to the diversity and strength of Florida's technology economy through the commercialization of that research.

NATIONAL LEVEL RESOURCES

US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WEB PORTAL

THE US COMMERCIAL SERVICE

THE US COMMERCIAL SERVICE – FLORIDA

THE US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

US GOVERNMENT E-BUSINESS PORTAL
Over 40 different Federal agencies assist or regulate businesses. With so many sources of information, finding what you want can be complicated and time-consuming. Business.gov is one of the E-Government initiatives in the President's Management Agenda. It was developed to provide better customer service for small businesses interacting with the Federal Government.