Pinellas County Economic Development announces free business workshops for March
As a member of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, Pinellas County Economic Development provides essential resources, including professionally sourced training and information to help businesses succeed, and subsequently create positive impact for Florida’s economy.
“Pinellas County Economic Development’s goal is to create jobs,” says Stacey Swank, PCED business development manager. “So helping entrepreneurs to get the financing that they need helps their businesses to succeed, and then ultimately create more jobs in the community.”
PCED’s March calendar of cost-free workshops includes:
How To Do Business With Pinellas County Government (Tuesday, March 6, 12-2 p.m.): The Board of County Commissioners Purchasing Department hosts a workshop on the ins and outs, do’s and don’ts of working with county departments and their online resources. It’s a walk-through of your business’ first steps through governmental forms, permits and requirements.
SBA Loans & Services (Tuesday, March 13, 12-2 p.m.): Charles Long, area manager for the U.S. Small Business Administration, with an overview of the FSBA’s loans and services programs for small businesses.
Also available this month:
Minority Certifications (Tuesday, March 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m., registration $20): How to become certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Small Business Enterprise (SBE) or Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), and how to best access government contracts and purchasing opportunities. Learn how to find and identify potential bids and improve your position in the bid evaluation process.
PCED also offers regularly-scheduled workshops, classes and tutorials covering Start-Ups (“information on the necessary licenses, permits, legal documents and requirements to do business in the State of Florida; learn to refine your ideas into a plan for success”), Creating a Business Plan (“easy financials, a simple pitch format and performance tracking”), Accounting and Tax Procedures (“an overview of tax requirements needed to satisfy IRS regulations, and the generally accepted accounting procedures your business needs to manage your growth”), QuickBooks and more.
The free workshops are held at the Epi-Center, 13805 58th Street North, Suite 1-200,
Clearwater, 33760. Registration is required.
Visit the PCED website here.
