Tampa Economic Development: Local Business Retention and Expansion Program

For more information, contact Donna Harak at 813-276-9406.

USF Small Business Development Center: The Small Business Development Center provides accessible, affordable, and professional counseling, training, and resources to start-up and existing businesses, and assists them in various aspects of small business development.

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce: The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce promotes the interests of small businesses by providing programs and services that encourage professional development and to help small businesses thrive.

For more information, contact Donna Harak at 813-276-9406.

BACKGROUND:	Over the years, Tampa/Hillsborough County has experienced great success in attracting new businesses. In addition, the region is building a strong reputation as an international business center. Recognizing that the retention and growth of existing local businesses is at the heart of successful economic development and job growth, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Committee of One Hundred developed a Local Business Retention and Expansion Program.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:	The Local Business Retention and Expansion Program will fulfill objectives both on the individual business and institutional levels, as follows: On the individual business level, identify and resolve issues and problems that may impede the company’s growth. On an institutional level, identify challenges, opportunities and issues faced by local businesses, with an eye toward developing solutions.
METHODOLOGY:	A cadre of trained business volunteers will conduct one-on-one interviews with approximately 300 businesses annually. Targeted businesses are those with 40 to 400 employees in the industries of manufacturing/distribution, port/maritime, biomed/life sciences, financial services, international commerce and other headquarters operations. Individual business issues are tackled as they are identified. Broader institutional issues are compiled and discussed on an ongoing basis. Annually thereafter businesses are re-contacted to provide trend information on growth issues and needs.
NEWS ARTICLES	Tampa Tribune Commentary January 28, 2006 Tampa Tribune November 10, 2005 Tampa Bay Business Journal May 6, 2005
SUCCESS STORIES	Manufacturing Success Story Graphics Company Success Story Office Furniture Success Story 2007 Local Business Retention & Expansion Report 2006 Local Business Retention & Expansion Report 2005 Local Business Retention & Expansion Report
LOCAL BUSINESS GROWTH FORUM:	The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Committee of One Hundred host an annual Local Business Growth Forum to share the results gathered from the Local Business Retention & Expansion interview that is conducted with local businesses each year. The Chamber’s Local Business Retention and Expansion subcommittee focuses on uncovering the topics that most affect the local business community and works to build solutions. Based on feedback received from hundreds of interviews conducted by the subcommittee each year, this forum will provide Tampa business leaders an update of what was said by local business and the program of work that has been created as a result of that feedback. Providing effective business expansion and retention assistance to the area’s existing businesses is essential. This forum takes the first steps toward continuing the ongoing dialogue that has begun between business and local governmental agencies as well as business and educational entities that assist with filling job vacancies as well as job skills training. Business issues raised as areas of concern (such as insurance regulation and affordable housing) are additional topics of discussion. Presentations: How the Local Business Interview Saved us $40,000 Managing an Aging Workforce Workplace Implications of Disaster Preparedness Florida and Hillsborough County Job Market Update
WORKFORCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:	Florida Ready to Work Credential Program: This initiative recognizes the needs of the business community for better prepared employees. It is funded by the Florida Legislature and there is no direct cost to participate in the program for students, job seekers, employers, schools or other partners. Any student or resident of the state of Florida is eligible to earn this credential. Each module takes about 45 minutes to one hour to complete and participants test for three core competencies – Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics and Locating Information. The higher the score a person earns on their evaluation tests, the higher the level of the certificate they receive. Either a Bronze, a Silver, or a Gold Work Credential Certificate is awarded in recognition of the participant’s demonstrated career readiness in the above competencies. 40 states across the nation are engaged in this program and the Credential Certificate is based on national criteria so it has value and will be recognized in all 40 participating states. Because this is a FREE service, ALL Florida businesses are urged to have their existing employees apply for a Work Credential Certificate as well as use the new Ready to Work Credential program as a precursor to all future hiring for their company. Florida Ready to Work has a team of professionals who provide free onsite planning, training, operational, marketing and technical assistance to help fully implement the program within your organization. Contact Eli Rodriquez at (407) 516-0555 or via e-mail at erodriguez@w-win.com. Quick Response Training Grants: The Quick Response Training Program (QRT) provides two year grant funding for customized training for NEW JOBS created by new or expanding businesses that are in specific targeted industry clusters. Exact dollar amount of the grant is dependent upon the amount of reimbursable training expenses incurred by the business for instructors/trainers salaries, curriculum development and textbooks/manuals creation. New jobs must meet a minimum average annual wage in order to qualify for the program. Incumbent Worker Training Grants: The Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT) is funded by the Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and administered by Workforce Florida, Inc. Through this program, Florida is able to provide one year expense reimbursement grants to for-profit businesses for the purpose of providing skills upgrade training to CURRENTLY EMPLOYED full-time workers. Exact dollar amount of the grant is dependent upon the amount of reimbursable training expenses incurred by the business for instructors/trainers salaries, curriculum development and textbooks/manuals creation. The program does not limit the kinds of training that will be considered for funding. Training may include industry or company specific skills, technical and computer skills, and "soft-skills" such as leadership, teamwork, and management skills. Employ FL Banner Center for Manufacturing: This Center provides curriculum, training, and certification resources for developing and sustaining Florida's manufacturing production workforce and contributing to the expansion of its diverse manufacturing industries. The initiative is built around the new Manufacturing Skill Standard's Council's (MSSC) "Production Technician" certification and addresses portable production competencies for: Manufacturing Production and Process; Safety; Maintenance Awareness; and Quality & Continuous Improvement. Career Centers/Workforce Alliance: The Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance (TBWA) Career Centers provide services for both Employers and Job Seekers. The following services are offered to corporations at no charge: assistance in creating job descriptions, job postings, and applicant screening as well as job fair programs. Customized training programs and business seminars are offered and information about applicable employer tax credits and other employer incentives are shared. TBWA also provides access to funded training services focused on successful completion of demand-driven certification and training programs. Training is designed to strengthen or upgrade the professional skills of your workforce. The On-the-Job Training and Competitive Edge Awards are designed to enhance a corporate workforce, making employees and the company more competitive. On-the-job Training and Competitive Edge Awards can significantly reduce training costs and improve employee productivity. On-the-Job Training is designed to upgrade the skill level of new employees by introducing them into their new working environment under the supervision of a more experienced employee. The trainee is engaged in productive work while acquiring knowledge and skills essential to job performance. Participating employers are reimbursed a percentage of trainee wages, for the cost of the training and for additional supervision related to the training. Through the Competitive Edge Award, TBWA provides qualified Hillsborough County businesses with funding for training of existing employees. The training must also improve the opportunities for participating employees to retain their jobs and/or to advance within the company.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS:	Hillsborough County Small Business Information Center: Within the County there are many services for small businesses. Hillsborough County offers a centrally located information and referral center through their "First Stop" Small Business Information Center which provided information about financial services structured for smaller businesses, information ranging from the topic of How to Start a Small Business to Home Occupation Counseling Sheet, and information about technical assistance providers such as SCORE, HBIF, Small Business Development Center, TEDCO, Florida Technical Procurement, and Tampa Bay Black Business Investment. USF Small Business Development Center: The Small Business Development Center provides accessible, affordable and professional counseling, training and resources to start-up and existing businesses and assists them in various aspects of small business development. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce: The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce promotes the interests of small businesses by providing programs and services that encourage professional development and to help small businesses thrive
FUNDING PROGRAMS:	Industrial Revenue Bonds: The Hillsborough County Industrial Development Authority offers financing of capital projects consisting of industrial and manufacturing plants and other projects that qualify under Florida law and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Typically bonds are for $2 million and up. Smaller issues are usually aggregated under a state program managed by Enterprise Florida. Florida Business Development Corp. - One of the State of Florida’s Certified Development Companies. Florida Business Development Corp. provides financial assistance to businesses in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration and private sector lenders. This assistance enables businesses to purchase, modernize and or develop real estate and equipment. The business owner benefits from typically only a 10% down payment and a sub prime, 20 year fixed rate. Florida First Capital Finance Corporation: One of the most active Certified Development Companies in the country, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation (FFCFC) was founded by the State of Florida in 1983 as a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to assisting small businesses through the administration of specialty loans for Small Business, including, but not limited to, SBA 504 loans, Florida Recycling Loans, International Trade loans and more. FFCFC assists Florida small businesses from Pensacola to Key West to meet their financing needs. SBA Loan Programs: The Mission of the USF Small Business Development Center is to provide accessible, affordable, and professional counseling, training, and resources to start-up and existing businesses, and assist them in various aspects of small business development. The SBA does not provide grants for the purpose of business start-up or expansion. SBA does offer several loan programs.
SALES TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAMS:	State Sales Tax Exemption Programs: The state of Florida offers many sales tax exemption programs based upon specific industry requirements. Two notable programs are the Sales Tax Exemption on Electricity and Steam (charges for electricity used directly and exclusively at a fixed location to operate machinery and equipment that is used to manufacture, process, compound, or produce items of tangible personal property for sale, or to operate pollution control equipment, recycling equipment, maintenance equipment, or monitoring or control equipment used in such operations, may be exempt from the sales tax) and the Sales and Use Tax Exemption on Machinery & Equipment (an incentive made available to new and expanding businesses who use such equipment at a fixed location to manufacture, process, compound, or produce tangible personal property for sale, or for exclusive use in spaceport activities.)
INCENTIVE PROGRAMS:	Enterprise Zones: Enterprise zones are usually located in distressed inner city or rural areas noted for high unemployment, crumbling infrastructure, and minimal access to building capital. Certain tax incentives are offered to employers who move a business into such a designated zone that reduce the Federal tax liability of businesses, increase the expensing limits of business assets, permit the issuance of tax exempt bonds, provide for exemptions from capital gains taxation for properties that are sold and provide wage credits that reduce the amount of Federal income tax a business has to pay. Businesses must meet stringent criteria in order to qualify for eligibility. State QTI Tax Refund Program: One of the state’s most popular incentive programs is the Qualified Targeted Industry (QTI) program which is an inducement offered to businesses to encourage them to expand or to locate in the state of Florida. Companies falling in the targeted industry clusters must create a specific number of new job positions that meet or exceed state or local county average wages by a minimum of 15%. If they meet these guidelines, various taxes such as corporate income, sales, ad valorem, intangible personal property taxes, and insurance premiums, as well as certain other taxes would qualify for tax refund. State Road Grant Fund Program: This is an incentive program designed by the state of Florida to alleviate transportation problems that adversely impact a specific company’s location or expansion decision. The elimination of the problem must serve as an inducement for a company’s location, retention or expansion project in Florida and result in jobs being created and/or retained in Florida. Dollars are allocated to a local government to alleviate the transportation problem, not directly to the company. Hillsborough County Impact Fee Mitigation Programs: Hillsborough County offers fee mitigation programs for transportation and fire impact fees as well as water/wastewater impact fees as alternatives to companies that do not qualify for the state of Florida QTI program.
BUSINESS CONTINUITY/DISASTER RECOVERY PLANNING:	The Institute for Business & Home Safety: The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers a variety of tools in its *Open for Business* sm series for small business owners to both reduce their potential for loss should disaster strike and to reopen quickly should they be forced to close. Hillsborough County offers workshops at the SBIC based on the IBHS information.