New Business Resources
Business Planning
The first step for launching a successful business is having a good foundation of knowledge about business operations and the creation of a business plan to convert your idea into a successful business. A business plan increases a start-up businesses’ probability of success substantially, and the DIB requires a full business plan before offering assistance or guidance to any prospective business owner.
Resources
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The DIB recommends that anyone considering opening a new business visit the SBDC first. As a member of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, the SBDC helps new businesses form, grow, and sustain successful businesses through one-on-one consulting, management training, and other vital information sources. Free management consulting services and free brochures walking potential business owners through the process step-by-step, paired with a gauntlet of low-cost training sessions such as starting businesses, record keeping, marketing, sales, and planning give prospective business owners the tools needed for success. A full resource package for opening a new business can also be downloaded from the SBDC Website. The SBDC Business Plan format is also the required format for businesses seeking guidance or assistance from the DIB or local banks.
*Download the Business Resource Guide from the SBDC Website
The resource guide will walk new business owners step-by-step through the process of registering a trade name, obtaining an employer identification number, find out tax information, and more.
Small Business Development Center
401 E. Chase Street, Suite 100, Pensacola, FL
850.473.7830
sbdc@uwf.edu
www.sbdc.uwf.edu
University of West Florida Division of Continuing Education
The staff at the UWF Division of Continuing Education offers instruction in both professional development and technical training to help individuals refine their knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to business management and communications. Professional Development classes offer training and education in the area of business management, human resources management, management for IT professionals, project management, team leadership, business planning, logistics and distribution management, business analysis, supervision and management, customer service, accounting, sales, and purchasing. Contact UWF Continuing Education to get a schedule of classes and registration information.
UWF Division of Continuing Education
11000 University Parkway Building 77, Pensacola, FL
850.474.2914
http://continuinged.uwf.edu
Pensacola Junior College Institute
The PJC Institute for Corporate and Professional Services, through the Department of Workforce and Economic Development, offers workforce education training to both businesses and individuals. Courses are offered in accounting, business writing, entrepreneurial development, sales and product management, planning, starting and operating a business, and leadership. Contact the PJC Institute for a schedule of classes and registration information.
PJC Institute
418 W. Garden Street, Downtown Pensacola
850.484.1374
pjcinstitute@pjc.edu
www.pjc.edu/continuingeducation/pjci
Downtown Research and Demographics
The DIB website offers market information and statistics on the downtown business and residential demographics. Valuable research, updated yearly, offers insight into the activities and trends of both downtown employees and residents, and demographic information can be pulled in any defined area of downtown for more specific numbers. Information on vehicle and pedestrian traffic at selected intersections can also be found through the DIB website.
www.downtownpensacola.com/doingbusiness
www.downtownpensacola.com/living
City of Pensacola GIS
The City of Pensacola offers full-color GIS maps showing customized critical information free of charge through its website.
www.ci.pensacola.fl.us (Under “Citizen Services”)
DIB Site Selection Assistance
A list of available properties in downtown can be found on the DIB website, along with the specifics on each property and realtor contact information. This, combined with pin-pointed research, will aide in the selection of the right location for any business.
www.downtownpensacola.com/business/commercial-real-estate.asp
Banking & Financing
Bank of America
Bank of America representative, Susan Lukkar, can assist new business owners with decisions on accounts, financing, payroll, invoicing, credit cards, savings and CDs as well as offering ongoing support as a business grows, changes, and succeeds. Susan will sit down with new businesses, get an understanding of what its needs are and walk owners through the processes of setting up banking and financial practices. Bank of America also offers an online community for small business owners allowing them to network, discusses, and learn from each others’ successes.
Susan Lukkar
Bank of America
100 W. Garden Street, Downtown Pensacola
850.454.1013
Hancock Bank
Hancock Bank’s Corporate Relationship Managers help business owners with both commercial and personal banking needs, allowing business owners to go to one person for any and all banking needs. Brad Schild is available to help with SBA Express and Patriot Express Loans, SBA Go Loans, SBA 7(a) Loans, SBA 504 Loans and also Hancock Bank’s loan and account options. He will sit down with business owners to learn about individual business ventures and find the loan and banking programs that suit best.
Brad Schild
Hancock Bank
40 Palafox Place, Downtown Pensacola
850.444.5189
SunTrust
SunTrust’s Business Banking helps business owners to evaluate different aspects of their business such as leasing versus buying equipment, cash flow, and business valuation. It can also assist with investment and retirement planning as well as basic banking decisions for day-to-day operations through checking and savings accounts, card services, and treasury management. Downtown financial representative Terri Miller will work with start-up businesses to assure they have the proper banking foundation.
Terri Miller
SunTrust
220 W. Garden Street, Downtown Pensacola
850.435.1336
Wachovia
Wachovia is committed to small businesses and is a Top 5 Small Business Administration (SBA) lender nationally. It has developed working relationships with small businesses of all kinds and knows that each business defines success differently. Cindy Williams sits down with new business owners to get a very thorough understanding of the business and brings her expertise and insight to the table.
Cindy Williams
Wachovia
21 E. Garden Street, Downtown Pensacola
850.434.6684
Planning, Zoning &Permitting
City Planning & Zoning
The Community Development Staff at the City of Pensacola can help with zoning and planning issues such as provisions of the Land Development Code, rezoning requirements, right-of-way and easement vacations, site plans, and license to use City right-of-ways.
Kristi Greenhut
City of Pensacola, Planning Services
kgreenhut@ci.pensacola.fl.us
www.ci.pensaola.fl.us
850.435.1670
City Permitting
Inspection Services is ready to help you carry out your building ideas in order to promote the preservation, growth and development of the City of Pensacola as well as issue the proper permits for the opening of your business. It also works with other government agencies to ensure community safety and welfare, and recommends that you contact the department before beginning improvements or changes to any building. The staff can help you anticipate possible requirements and assist you with the construction process, from plan review to on-site inspections, so you can be confident the project is appropriately located and adequately designed and constructed.
Bill Weeks
Building Inspection Services & Permitting
bweeks@ci.pensacola.fl.us
www.ci.pensacola.fl.us
850.436.5600
Occupational Licensing
City of Pensacola
Sherry Carlton
scarlton@ci.pensacola.fl.us
850.436.5693
Escambia County
Escambia County Tax Collector
www.escambiacountytaxcollector.com
850.436.5600
State of Florida
(Needed for general & electrical contracting)
Florida Department of Professional Regulations
Construction Industry Licensing Board
850.487.1395
Tax Information
Escambia County has no taxes other than Property Taxes and the payment for Business Liscensing
Federal Taxes
IRSOne Pensacola Plaza, 3rd Floor
125 W. Romana Street, Downtown Pensacola
www.irs.gov
800.829.1040
State Sales & Use Taxes
Florida Department of Revenue
3670C North “L” Street, Pensacola
Workshops: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
850.595.5170
Other Resources and Information
Signage
All signage changes within a historic district must be approved by the City’s Architectural Review Board (ARB).
Don Kelly
City of Pensacola, Senior Urban Planner
850.435.1675
Parking
Off-street employee parking is available to downtown businesses in lots and garages throughout downtown. Additionally, a parking validation program for customers is available at the Jefferson Street Parking Garage. Visit the Pensacola Parking website to see a map of available parking locations and contact the Parking Manager to reserve spaces in lots or garages or register for the Parking Validation program.
Richard Puckett, Jr.
Downtown Parking Manager
850.434.5372
www.pensacolaparking.com
Downtown Event Information
For the most complete and up-to-date listing of all happenings in the downtown district, visit the DIB website.
www.downtownpensacola.com/things/events-calendar.asp
Ongoing Support & Involvement
The DIB encourages all businesses to stay involved in the activities, initiatives, and programs happening in Downtown Pensacola. Because of operation through a committee system, the activities undertaken by the DIB are all stake-holder driven. By participating with one or more of the DIB’s eight committees, business owners can help guide the future of Downtown Pensacola.
All committee meetings are public meetings, welcoming members of the public. Participation on a DIB committee requires that a person be either a Downtown business or property owner, or the representative of one of the two.
www.downtownpensacola.com/about/committees
850.434.5371