Florida is committed to increasing its global competitiveness as a destination for business, capital, talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The Department of Economic Opportunity utilizes public and private sector expertise to attract, retain and grow businesses and create jobs in Florida. The links on this page will connect you with those partners and opportunities that will assist you in locating, retaining and growing your business in Florida.
Florida has developed a business-friendly environment where an entrepreneurial spirit, competitive costs and streamlined regulations are the drivers that enable businesses like yours to innovate and grow. Learn how to benefit from Florida's business advantages. Florida understands your business needs and stands ready to welcome you with its creative workforce, global connectivity and high quality of life.
Florida has a large economic market, great infrastructure, vibrant industry sectors, smart workforce, and geography perfect for easy global connectivity, in addition to its business-friendly climate and high quality of life.
- Florida Industry Clusters Florida's leading industry clusters include clean technology, life sciences, information technology, aviation and aerospace, logistics and distribution, homeland security and defense, and financial and professional services.
Florida provides many opportunities for large and growing businesses. The state’s robust support tools for business expansion and extensive international trade resources provide timely and practical assistance. To expand your small business, please see the small business resources provided below.
Florida offers a variety of programs and services to help Florida companies expand globally, including seven Enterprise Florida Trade Offices, located throughout the state, to provide export counseling and advice to Florida manufacturers, export intermediaries, and services companies.
Small Business Resources
Community Contribution Tax Credit Program
The Community Contribution Tax Credit Program (CCTCP) provides a financial incentive (50% tax credit or sales tax refund) to encourage Florida businesses to make donations toward community development and housing projects for low-income persons.
The tax credit is easy for a business to receive. Businesses located anywhere in Florida that make donations to approved community development projects may receive a tax credit equal to 50 percent of the value of the donation. Businesses may take the credit on Florida corporate income tax, insurance premium tax or as a refund against sales tax (for businesses registered to collect and remit sales taxes with the Department of Revenue).
For additional information or a tax credit application please contact Burt Von Hoff at 850-717-8518 or at burt.vonhoff@deo.myflorida.com
The Florida Enterprise Zone Program offers an assortment of tax incentives to businesses that choose to create employment within an enterprise zone, which is a specific geographic area targeted for economic revitalization. These include a sales and use tax credit, tax refund for business machinery and equipment used in an enterprise zone, sales tax refund for building materials used in an Enterprise Zone, and a sales tax exemption for electrical energy used in an enterprise zone
For additional information please access the Florida Enterprise Zone Website at www.floridaenterprisezones.com or please contact Burt Von Hoff at 850-717-8518 or at burt.vonhoff@deo.myflorida.com.
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs include the Florida Capital Access Program, Florida Venture Capital Program and the Small Business Loan Support Program. These programs will provide Florida's small businesses access to debt and venture capital financing that may not otherwise be available.
Florida assists developing and expanding minority-owned business enterprises by evaluating their unmet needs for capital, providing technical assistance and creating partnerships between state and local governments and private enterprises to aid in business development.
Florida’s Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) agencies have a range of programs and services that support rural development, focus state resources on rural issues, and assist rural businesses in making the appropriate connections to federal, state, and local organizations.
Rural Job Tax Credit Program
The Rural Job Tax Credit Program offers an incentive for eligible businesses located within one of 36 designated Qualified Rural Areas to create new jobs. The tax credit ranges from $1,000 to $1,500 per qualified employee and can be taken against either the Florida Corporate Income Tax or the Florida Sales and Use Tax. The credit can only be taken against one of these two taxes.
These tax credits are provided to encourage meaningful employment opportunities that will improve the quality of life of those employed and to encourage economic expansion of new and existing businesses in rural areas of Florida.
Five million dollars of tax credits may be approved in a calendar year.
For additional information or a tax credit application please contact Burt Von Hoff at 850-717-8518 or at burt.vonhoff@deo.myflorida.com.
Wanted: Entrepreneurs! Florida small business owners have the support of an extensive network of state, federal and local financing opportunities and resources ready to assist with everything from business plan writing to accounting and marketing. Florida's principal provider of business assistance, the Florida Small Business Center Development Network has over 35 years of experience helping businesses start, grow and succeed.
Urban Job Tax Credit Program
The Urban Job Tax Credit Program offers an incentive for eligible businesses located within one of the 13 designated urban areas to create new jobs. The credit ranges from $500 to $2,000 per qualified job and can be taken against either the Florida Corporate Income Tax or the Florida Sales and Use Tax. The credit can only be taken against one of these two taxes.
These tax credits are provided to encourage meaningful employment opportunities that will improve the quality of life of those employed and to encourage economic expansion of new and existing businesses in urban areas of Florida.
Five million dollars of tax credits may be approved in a calendar year.
For additional information or a tax credit application please contact Burt Von Hoff at 850-717-8518 or at burt.vonhoff@deo.myflorida.com.