Below you will find answers to many common questions fielded by SBDC staff members. If you don't see your question answered below, or you still need your question(s) answered, please feel free to contact us.

1. What are your office hours?
2. What counties do you serve?
3. What if I don't live in the counties you serve?
   
4. What does your organization do?
5. Is there a fee for your services?
6. Do you have money to lend to start my business?
7. Do you have grants so that I can start my business?
8. Do I come to your organization for my business license?
9. Can I come to the SBDC for my IRS forms?
10. I need to hire employees for my new business. Where can I get information on wages and labor?
11. I need to register a fictitious name. Where do I go?
12. I want to know more about business and economic research for Bay County. Where do I go?
13. I need information on incorporating my business. Can you give me a website that I can research?
    
    

1. What are your office hours?
   The SBDC is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:00 pm.
2. What counties do you serve?
   The SBDC serves Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties.
3. What if I don't live in the counties you serve?
   Please see the Florida SBDC Network website. There you will be able to find an SBDC in your area.
   
4. What does your organization do?
   The SBDC is an information resource center bringing together state, federal, educational, and community knowledge and assistance. Our mission is to assist our community and its citizens with its economic development and small business needs. We achieve this mission by providing business counseling to new and existing small businesses as well as those interested in starting a small business. In furtherance of this mission, we utilize our extensive network of expertise and provide workshops on a variety of small business topics.
   
5. Is there a fee for your services?
   There is no fee to speak with a member of our staff about your small business needs. In addition, there is no fee for follow up sessions with our staff should it be necessary or requested. Our workshops do carry a nominal fee that goes towards paying for supplies used in the workshop.
6. Do you have money to lend to start my business?
   As a non-profit organization, we do not lend funds to start, develop or maintain small businesses. We provide informational and counseling services to those interested in all aspects of small businesses. We do, however, act as an intermediary with the SBA's Prequalification Loan Program.
7. Do you have grants so that I can start my business?
   As a non-profit organization, we do not have grants to give. However, you may want to visit the following sites that offer guidance and information related to grants.
   http://www.sba.gov
   http://www.grants.gov
   http://www.cfda.gov
   http://www.srainternational.org
8. Do I come to your organization for my business license?
   No, you should contact the city hall in the city where your business will be located or visit Myflorida.com for business licensing information.
9. Can I come to the SBDC for my IRS forms?
   While we work closely with the IRS in many endeavors, only the IRS can give tax forms. Please see IRS.gov for more information on the forms you are looking for.
10. I need to hire employees for my new business. Where can I get information on wages and labor?
    We suggest the following sites:
    http://www.dol.gov
    http://www.workforcecenter.org
    http://www.myflorida.com
11. I need to register a fictitious name. Where do I go?
    Please visit http://www.sunbiz.org.
12. I want to know more about business and economic research for Bay County. Where do I go?
    You may want to visit http://www.haas.uwf.edu.
13. I need information on incorporating my business. Can you give me a website that I can research?
    You may want to visit the following sites for incorporation information.
    http://www.sunbiz.org
    http://www.corporatepublishingcompany.com
    http://www.toolkit.cch.com
    http://www.mycorporation.com

Still have questions or want to know more? Contact Us!