Business Development
Start Your Business
Turn an Idea Into an Opportunity
Starting a business can mean navigating business formation, licensing, financing, taxes, planning, marketing, workforce needs, and local requirements—all while trying to turn an idea into something sustainable.
You don't have to figure it out alone.
Bay County entrepreneurs can access counseling, training, government resources, professional expertise, and other support at virtually every stage of the startup process.
Florida Small Business Development Center
The Florida SBDC at UWF provides consulting and resources for entrepreneurs and existing small businesses throughout Northwest Florida.
Its Panama City Beach office is located at TechFarms and offers services including startup assistance, small-business consulting, government contracting assistance, marketing services, and small-business management programs.
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration provides resources for starting and managing a business, funding programs, government contracting, and other areas important to small-business owners.
Florida Business Registration & Taxes
Businesses operating in Florida may also need to work with the Florida Division of Corporations for business registration and the Florida Department of Revenue for applicable tax registration and requirements.
Local Requirements
Depending on your business and location, you may also need to consider local zoning, permitting, development review, business tax receipts, or other requirements.
Requirements can vary among Bay County and its municipalities, so businesses should verify the rules that apply to their specific location and activity.
Learn & Lead
Strong Businesses Start With Strong Leaders
Business development isn't only about starting companies. It's also about helping the people running them become stronger leaders.
Bay County businesses have access to educational programs, workshops, executive development, entrepreneurship education, and professional learning opportunities designed to strengthen organizations and the people who lead them.
Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship
The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship brings small-business executive education and entrepreneurship resources to the region through Florida State University.
Programs are designed to help business owners and executives strengthen decision-making, improve business performance, plan for sustainable growth, and learn alongside other entrepreneurs and business leaders.
FSU Panama City Commercial Entrepreneurship
FSU Panama City's Commercial Entrepreneurship program through the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship develops entrepreneurial thinking through hands-on learning and real-world business challenges.
Students learn to develop ventures, evaluate opportunities, build business plans, secure funding, and transform ideas into businesses—helping strengthen Bay County's future pipeline of entrepreneurs and innovators.
FSU Panama City Organizational Excellence & Innovation Center
The Organizational Excellence and Innovation Center at FSU Panama City focuses on helping businesses and community members strengthen organizational leadership and professional development.
The Center draws from expertise in business administration, accounting, financial planning, entrepreneurship, hospitality and tourism management, and organizational management and communication to develop educational programs and workshops for Northwest Florida.
Grow Your Business
Take the Next Step
Growth looks different for every business.
For one company, it may mean hiring the first employee. For another, it may mean entering a new market, developing leadership, improving operations, increasing visibility, winning a government contract, finding capital, or expanding into a larger location.
The right resource at the right time can make that next step easier.
Businesses can tap into local and regional expertise for:
- Business planning and strategy
- Marketing and market research
- Financial analysis
- Government contracting
- Leadership development
- Workforce recruitment and training
- Technology and innovation
- Professional services
- Networking and relationship development
- Visibility and promotion
- Expansion planning
The Chamber can help connect you with organizations and professionals equipped to address your specific business need.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Building Trust. Supporting Better Business Practices.
Trust is an important part of building lasting customer relationships.
The Better Business Bureau provides resources that help businesses strengthen marketplace credibility, understand ethical business practices, and navigate customer concerns. Consumers can also use BBB resources to research businesses, review complaint histories, and access dispute resolution services.
Whether you're a business owner looking to strengthen customer confidence or a consumer researching a company, BBB offers information to support more informed decisions.
Build Your Workforce
Find Talent. Develop Talent. Keep Talent.
A growing business needs people with the right skills.
CareerSource Gulf Coast works with employers throughout Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties to provide workforce and training solutions. Its employer services include assistance locating qualified candidates and support for recruiting and hiring events at no cost to participating businesses.
CareerSource Gulf Coast currently operates two Bay County Job Centers located at Gulf Coast State College and Tom P. Haney Technical College, strengthening the connection among employers, workforce development, and education.
Connect with Emerging Talent
Bay County's colleges, universities, and technical programs can also help businesses build their future workforce.
Internships, experiential learning, career programs, technical education, and employer partnerships give businesses opportunities to connect with students before they enter the full-time workforce.
Local institutions include:
- Florida State University Panama City
- Gulf Coast State College
- Tom P. Haney Technical College
- Troy University
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Give New Ideas Room to Grow
Innovation begins with people willing to identify opportunities, solve problems, and turn ideas into something meaningful.
Bay County's entrepreneurship ecosystem connects emerging business owners, innovators, students, and established companies with resources that support new ventures and business development.
Whether you're exploring a business idea, developing a product, seeking mentorship, or looking for opportunities to collaborate, local and regional organizations can help you take the next step.
TechFarms
Located in Panama City Beach, TechFarms provides a connection to Bay County's technology and entrepreneurship community. The facility also hosts the local Florida SBDC at UWF office, bringing business-development resources closer to entrepreneurs and small-business owners.
Florida SBDC at UWF
The Florida SBDC at UWF supports entrepreneurs and existing businesses through consulting, training, and specialized assistance.
Whether you're preparing to launch, evaluating an opportunity, or planning your next stage of growth, the SBDC can help connect you with practical guidance.
FSU Panama City
Florida State University Panama City contributes to the region's entrepreneurial development through education, applied learning, and connections between students, faculty, and the business community.
Its entrepreneurship and organizational-development programs help cultivate the knowledge and skills that support innovation and business leadership.
Military & Veteran Entrepreneurs
Turning Experience Into Opportunity
Bay County's military community contributes leadership, technical expertise, problem-solving ability, and entrepreneurial talent to the local economy.
Service members, veterans, and military spouses interested in entrepreneurship can access specialized resources designed to help military-connected entrepreneurs evaluate ideas, develop businesses, and navigate the transition into business ownership.
Shop Small Bay County & Small Business Saturday
Connect with local shoppers, discover promotional resources, and explore opportunities to participate in the Chamber's Shop Small initiatives and Small Business Saturday activities.