Business Resources

The Support You Need, When You Need It—Right Here in Charlotte County

Business success doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes access to capital, workforce pipelines, infrastructure, local insight, and a network of trusted partners. Whether you’re launching a startup, relocating a manufacturing facility, or preparing to bid on federal contracts, Charlotte County offers a robust ecosystem of support tailored to help you grow.

This isn’t just a list of resources. It’s a roadmap for building something that lasts.

Built on Partnership: Local Support You Can Count On

Running a business can be overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. Charlotte County partners with seasoned organizations that specialize in helping business owners navigate the complex steps of starting, funding, marketing, and scaling.

From the moment you draft your business plan to your first expansion—and every challenge in between—our network is designed to deliver practical, hands-on support.

The Florida SBDC at FGCU is a powerhouse of entrepreneurial knowledge. Their advisors work one-on-one with business owners to fine-tune growth strategies, prepare for funding, and solve operational challenges.

SCORE Port Charlotte complements this with personalized mentorship. Whether you need guidance on pricing, hiring, digital marketing, or succession planning, these volunteer mentors—many of whom are retired executives or serial entrepreneurs—offer insight and accountability.

Florida APEX Accelerator steps in when you’re ready to scale into government markets. Their advisors walk you through certification, bid preparation, and federal procurement strategy.

These partners don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. They work with you, face-to-face, on the ground in Charlotte County—because they live and work here, too.

Growing a Workforce That Grows with You

Charlotte County’s economic strength is rooted in its people—and we’re investing in education that aligns directly with industry needs. Employers don’t just benefit from our talent pipeline—they help shape it.

Charlotte Technical College (CTC) is where students learn to become aviation mechanics, health care technicians, welders, and IT professionals. Programs are hands-on, certification-focused, and built in collaboration with local industries.The Aviation Airframe & Powerplant Program (A&P), launched in partnership with Punta Gorda Airport, is a standout example. It trains students for FAA-certified careers in aircraft maintenance, addressing a direct workforce gap while offering graduates a path to high-wage employment.

Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) complements this with degree programs in logistics, business, and education—expanding opportunities for career advancement and employer upskilling. Newer programs include accredited degrees in Entrepreneurship and Supply Chain Logistics.

FutureMakers Coalition and Tradesman’s Place round out the workforce landscape, offering everything from pre-apprenticeships to adult retraining in critical trades. Together, these programs create a talent pipeline designed to meet today’s—and tomorrow’s—business demands.

When you grow your business in Charlotte County, you’re not just hiring employees. You’re investing in a workforce that’s being trained to grow with you.

From Idea to Execution: Navigating Start-Up and Scale-Up

Turning a business idea into reality takes more than a great product or service. It requires confidence in compliance, licensing, and long-term sustainability.

That’s why we provide real tools—not just theory—to help you move forward.

Our Business Startup Guide walks you through local licensing, zoning, insurance, and registration steps. It’s tailored for first-time entrepreneurs navigating Florida’s legal environment.

Federal compliance resources—like SCORE’s Beneficial Ownership Reporting Webinar—keep you up to date on evolving regulations, ensuring you’re not caught off guard by new filing requirements.

When you’re ready to fund your business, we make sure you’re lender-ready. Our partnership with the SBA includes in-depth training on building a solid business case, identifying financing options, and understanding how lenders assess risk.

From microloans to growth capital, we don’t just give you application forms. We help you prepare the strongest application possible—with guidance from people who’ve helped hundreds of Charlotte County businesses do the same.

Site Selection & Infrastructure: We’re Ready When You Are

Finding the right location for your business is about more than square footage. It’s about connectivity, reliability, and readiness—and that’s where Charlotte County stands out.

We maintain an inventory of development-ready industrial and commercial sites through our Cleared4Takeoff property viewer. These aren’t just listings—they’re properties vetted for infrastructure, zoning compatibility, and accessibility to transportation corridors like I-75 and Punta Gorda Airport.

Charlotte County Government and the City of Punta Gorda play proactive roles in site development, offering transparent permitting processes and responsive planning departments that understand the needs of business.

Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) serves as a key business hub—not only for passenger travel and air cargo, but as a job creator through aviation partnerships and expansions.

FPL’s Powering Florida initiative ensures that utility infrastructure grows with your project. Whether you need energy usage projections, solar compatibility, or industrial-capacity service, FPL is an active partner in site readiness.

And when it’s time to make a move, our economic development team provides custom workforce overlays, commute shed maps, and tailored RFIs to help you make confident, data-informed decisions.

Regional & Statewide Business Support – Collaborating Beyond County Lines to Strengthen Local Success

Charlotte County’s business success is amplified by our strong network of regional and statewide economic development partners. These organizations extend the reach of our local efforts, offering specialized programs and resources that help businesses scale, innovate, and thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Whether you’re seeking help with workforce development, accessing new markets, or navigating state-level grant programs, our partnerships provide critical support that complements our local services.

We proudly collaborate with:

These relationships help Charlotte County businesses stay connected to statewide opportunities—from export assistance and industry certifications to growth capital and supply chain diversification.

Through these regional and state-level partnerships, Charlotte County businesses gain access to the expertise, advocacy, and funding needed to scale successfully in Florida and beyond.

Chambers of Commerce in Charlotte County – Connecting Business, Community, and Opportunity

Charlotte County’s business community is strengthened by the leadership and collaboration of its three local chambers of commerce. These organizations are more than event hosts—they are central to economic progress, community engagement, and small business success. Each chamber provides distinct value while working together to promote a unified vision for regional growth.

Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce

As the largest and longest-established chamber in the county, the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce supports businesses across a wide range of industries. Their services include networking events, advocacy at the local and state level, and educational programs for business owners. Whether you’re opening your doors for the first time or expanding into a new facility, this chamber is a trusted partner for long-term success.

Explore the Charlotte County Chamber

Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce

Centered in the historic waterfront city, the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce is known for its strong community connections and local pride. The chamber hosts monthly mixers, signature events, and marketing programs that spotlight local businesses and tourism assets. It also plays an active role in city planning conversations, helping to shape a business-friendly environment in Punta Gorda.

Explore the Punta Gorda Chamber

Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce

Serving the western edge of Charlotte County and the broader Englewood area, the Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce focuses on small business growth, regional partnerships, and local advocacy. With strong ties to coastal tourism and service industries, this chamber provides targeted support to businesses operating near the Gulf Coast.

Explore the Englewood Chamber

Together, these chambers offer Charlotte County businesses access to local influence, peer networks, and regional reach. They are critical partners in building an economy that is collaborative, resilient, and future-focused.

Let’s Get Started

Whether you’re a solo founder working on your first prototype or a national company seeking to expand operations in Southwest Florida, Charlotte County has the infrastructure, programs, and people to help you succeed.

Let us be your partner. Reach out today and we’ll connect you with the right tools and the right team to move forward—confidently.

See below for information about starting and operating a business in Charlotte County.

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Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau

The official website of the Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau.

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Charlotte County Government

The official website of the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners.

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Punta Gorda Airport

Owned and operated by the Charlotte County Airport Authority, PGD is an important transportation and economic asset for the region, providing hundreds of onsite jobs, space for business and aviation tenants, and more than $1.275 billion in total economic output

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City of Punta Gorda

The City of Punta Gorda is a Council-Manager form of government, which combines the political leadership of elected officials with the managerial experience of an administrator. City Council acts as the legislative branch and operates in accordance with the provisions of the City Charter. They are responsible for setting the policy in which the City Manager carries out through the City departments.

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Powering Florida

Florida Power & Light Company is the largest energy company in the United States as measured by retail electricity produced and sold, serving more than 5 million customer accounts or an estimated 10 million+ people across the state of Florida.

Business Start up resources

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America's SBDC Florida Hosted by FGCU

We help small businesses launch, grow and thrive.
Here’s a snapshot of the Florida SBDC at FGCU’s service offering, upcoming trainings and featured stories.

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Business Startup Guide

This guide provided by the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce contains valuable resources for those looking to start a business in Charlotte County.

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SBA Small Business Resource Guide

The SBA's Small Business Resource Guide was created to provide you with valuable tools and connect you with resources that will empower you as you build upon your American dream of business ownership.

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GrowFL

GrowFL is Florida's only organization exclusively dedicated to support and accelerate the growth of second-stage companies, by providing their leaders with focused, efficient, and timely access to resources they deem important.

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Small Business Guide to Hiring Minors

Between April and July of 2022, over 2.5 million youth workers entered the U.S. workforce. This guide will help you decide whether or not hiring minors is the right move for your business and teach you the important considerations to make before taking on teen employees.

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Small Business Administration

SBA support's America's small businesses. The SBA connects entrepreneurs with lenders and funding to help them plan, start and grow their business.

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SCORE Port Charlotte

At SCORE Port Charlotte, we offer free business advice, no-cost business training through webinars and workshops, and numerous templates and tools to assist you in your journey to open your new business or grow your existing one.

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SBA Veteran's Small Business Guide

Veteran-owned businesses
SBA offers support for veterans as they enter the world of business ownership. Look for funding programs, training, and federal contracting opportunities.

Area chambers of commerce

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Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce

The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc., has been serving the businesses and residents of Charlotte County and our surrounding areas since 1925.

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Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce

The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce is committed to improving the local business climate, because we believe that, when your business succeeds, our community also prospers.

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Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce

The Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce is the community’s go-to resource for visitors, residents, and businesses!

Business Resources

The Support You Need, When You Need It—Right Here in Charlotte County

Built on Partnership: Local Support You Can Count On

Growing a Workforce That Grows with You

From Idea to Execution: Navigating Start-Up and Scale-Up

Site Selection & Infrastructure: We’re Ready When You Are

Regional & Statewide Business Support – Collaborating Beyond County Lines to Strengthen Local Success