Florida's Great Northwest is a regional economic development organization representing 16 counties in Northwest Florida. Recognizing that collective advantages and regional strengths are best harnessed by working together, Florida’s Great Northwest was founded in 2000 to build a regional partnership. Since its inception, Florida’s Great Northwest has evolved into one of the nation’s premier regional partnerships for economic and workforce development. Working in tandem with their partners, Florida’s Great Northwest is actively working to create high-wage, high skill jobs for Northwest Florida citizens, focusing on the region’s long-term success by means of cultivating a vibrant and sustainable economy.

The Florida Small Business Development Network is a statewide partnership of universities and other stakeholders whose goal is entrepreneurial development for the purpose of encouraging statewide economic growth. Funded in 1976 by the U.S. Small Business Administration and hosted by the University of West Florida, the program successfully links the state’s education system with community outreach to aid in the development and education of Florida’s entrepreneurs and small business community. Through the work of their Certified Business Analysts at 34 centers throughout the state, businesses receive personalized counseling at no cost, as well as access to educational training, a business library, seminars and trade shows, and research services.

PTAC assists Florida businesses interested in obtaining contracts with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and state/local government agencies and participating prime contractors. As a client, the business is eligible and will be afforded access to the services offered, including free counseling, bid/proposal preparation, pre-award survey assistance, and contract administration. The Florida PTAC office also provides opportunities to attend seminars, trade shows, and provides access to an on-site library for further research.

The State of Florida Office of the Small Business Advocate is a new office created to represent the views and interests of Florida’s small businesses before the state and its agencies. It is housed and supported by the Florida SBDC Network. The OSBA is currently holding a series of Small Business Issues Forums throughout the state to compile a list of the top issues impeding small businesses at a state level and to identify a corresponding list of possible solutions. The results of the forums will be shared with the Governor, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and the President of the Florida Senate in the OSBA’s annual report.