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Lakeland Business Resource Office
The Community and Economic Development Department’s Business Resource Office was developed to increase local support for new and expanding businesses. Team members within the Business Resource Office have a variety of specialties are economic development, real estate, development review, and business tax administration. Business Resource Team members will also serve as a dedicated point of contact for businesses through the entire development process, from site evaluation and selection to development and site plan review, building permitting to certificate of occupancy, and business tax receipt issuance.
Our goal is to build and maintain strong relationships with Lakeland’s business and entrepreneurial community. Advocating and promoting businesses while also connecting them with valuable resource partners.
We offer:
- Responsive and communicative assistance
- Predevelopment consultations when evaluating new locations or remodel projects
- Advocacy for new and expanding businesses
- Multi-departmental coordination within Lakeland’s developmental departments
- Collaboration and support with entrepreneurs and business leaders
The Business Resource Office Inquiry Form
City of Lakeland Business Resource Guide
City of Lakeland Site Evaluation Considerations Checklist
City of Lakeland 2026 Demographic Guide
The Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation, Inc. (BBIC) is a U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Entity dedicated to providing business and funding opportunities for the long-term growth and success of small business. Tampa Bay BBIC has been brought to Lakeland by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs.
BRIDGE Local, originally Lakeland Business Leaders, was established in 2010. BRIDGE Local's mission is centered around more tightly connecting all of the resources available to local businesses, local consumers and Lakeland's community as a whole. BRIDGE Local believes in celebrating and encouraging genuine connection and collaboration.
Catapult Lakeland is a privately funded, non-profit that aims to increase viability of startups in Lakeland, provide value-added educational opportunities, launch companies into brick and mortar spaces, connect corporations and the innovative startup community and so much more. Catapult is also a co-working space that hosts small businesses and entrepreneurs.
The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is an organization dedicated to creating a climate where business can prosper in Lakeland. The Chamber is leading the way for businesses to stay informed about the policy decisions that stand to impact job creation and economic growth in Lakeland and the State of Florida to ensure success for businesses of all sizes.
COhatch Lakeland is a great place to work, meet, and live in Downtown Lakeland! Filled with vibrant design inspiration from Polk County and located directly across the street from Munn Park, this location sports lots of coworking space, private offices, and meeting rooms, plus several great spaces for larger events! If you are looking for a space to be productive and be a part of a community, visit their downtown location and they'll show you around!
Prospera is an economic development nonprofit organization that specializes in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their business. Prospera offers a variety of services designed for Hispanic small business owners, to empower them through training, consulting, grants and access to capital.
SBDC professional consultants provide expertise in areas that are vital to owning and operating a successful business, including: strategic market research; market expansion and revenue growth; business, strategic, and marketing plan development; access to capital and loan packaging assistance; financial analysis and assessment; accounting systems and financial literacy; and feasibility analysis and start-up assistance.
SCORE's mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. SCORE Central Florida offers 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.
Veterans Florida is a nonprofit created by the State of Florida in 2014 under Section 295.21, Florida Statutes. They manage the state's Veteran Education and Training Services Program and partner with VISIT FLORIDA to position Florida as the most veteran-ready state in the country. They connect transitioning service members, veterans, and their spouses to careers with Florida employer, train veterans and spouses for the careers Florida industries are hiring for now, and help veteran founders launch and grow companies here.