Business Resources

MISSION The new 26 West Center was created with one goal in mind – to make entrepreneurship and careers in technology accessible to everyone. That, of course, includes State College of Florida students, alumni, faculty and staff. What makes the 26 West Center so unique is that all the services are also available to residents of the Bradenton/Sarasota area and Read more...

MISSION Through Apprentice Florida, we help businesses find the best solution to build a work-ready, custom-trained team, by utilizing an existing apprenticeship program or creating their own. The best part is establishing a program in Florida can take less than 30 days. DESCRIPTION Apprenticeships are a proven training method benefitting both job seekers and businesses. They are gaining momentum as Read more...

MISSION The mission of the Arts and Cultural Alliance is to serve as the voice, advocate, and resource for arts and culture in our community. VISION The vision of the Arts and Cultural Alliance is that arts and culture are essential to the continuing development of a vibrant, creative community. VALUES • Access • Collaboration • Education • Inclusiveness • Read more...

MISSION Breeze Transit moves people to live, work, and play by delivering exceptional experiences that show customers we value them and their choice to ride transit. DESCRIPTION The Breeze transit system combines traditional bus and trolley routes with OnDemand rideshare service. In 2023 the transit agency provided nearly 2.2 million rides. SERVICES/PROGRAMS • Breeze routes provide transportation along major corridors Read more...

MISSION Fund and mentor early-stage startups in the Sarasota-Manatee region and beyond. DESCRIPTION BRIDGE Angel Investors is a group of experienced private, accredited investors in Sarasota, FL, committed to supporting local, state, and national entrepreneurship by providing capital and mentoring to assist early-stage businesses towards growth. BRIDGE investments may be augmented with individual member investments and through a network of Read more...

VISION CareerEdge will be known as the region’s distinguished workforce development organization that promotes economic prosperity through strong employer-labor and community partnerships. MISSION Our mission is to provide an exceptional labor force to the region’s growing industries by leveraging community assets and forming high-performing workforce partnerships. QUICK FACTS • Offers unique qualifications as the first collaborative designated as a National Read more...

MISSION Collaborate. Innovate. Lead. DESCRIPTION CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board of business and government leaders charged with guiding workforce development for the state of Florida. CareerSource Florida provides oversight and policy direction for talent development programs administered by the Department of Commerce, Florida’s local workforce development boards and their 100 career centers. Together, the CareerSource Read more...

MISSION Our mission is to connect Manatee and Sarasota employers with skilled talent in our region. DESCRIPTION CareerSource Suncoast is a private, non-profit corporation with a Board of Directors, consisting of private business, economic development and education representatives, community and state agencies, and elected officials. Members of the board represent the diversity of businesses, organizations and trades that operate in Read more...

MISSION Community Impact Powered by Philanthropy. “Be the One” reflects our deeply-held belief that anyone can be a philanthropist and give back to our community, regardless of means. DESCRIPTION We proactively create responsive and long-term charitable funds that have an enduring impact on our community, so everyone thrives. Since our founding by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council in 1979, Read more...

MISSION Commute Connector is a program of the Florida Department of Transportation dedicated to educating commuters in Southwest Florida about available transportation choices through planning and promotions DESCRIPTION We partner with employers, manufacturing associations, local government agencies, and universities to address the transportation needs of their staff and commuters. Our services are complementary and available to residents or employers of Read more...