BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP The Business Assistance Specialist for the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce, part of the Business Assistance Partnership (BAPS) Program in Pinellas County. The primary function is to introduce the huge array of free programs available to the businesses in the city, covering everything from business plans, marketing and finance questions, to helping them find answers to County, City and Chamber questions. The BAPS’ job is to make sure you have all the information and support you need to make your Tarpon Springs business successful. The Business Assistance program is open to all businesses in the city and our staff will do their best to help each of you find answers to your questions and solutions to your problems. Some of the services that are available through the BAPS program include: NETWORKING. People like to do business with those they know and trust! Please consider joining Tarpon Business owners and managers at Coffee with Class, our very successful networking group. One of the best ways to build your business is through association and partnerships with other Tarpon Businesses. We meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday morning, from 8:30 to 10:00 am. Everyone has the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business at each meeting. Our Ambassadors are on hand to introduce newcomers and make them feel comfortable and at home. WORKNET PINELLAS. WorkNet Pinellas has an office on the Tarpon Springs St. Petersburg College Campus and offers free job placement to companies, as well as the applicants. Companies may place their requirements online through WorkNet Pinellas. As well, applicants looking for a job may register at www.worknetpinellas.org to receive job listings. These potential applicants are screened before they are sent to you. WorkNet Pinellas also holds periodic job fairs in the area. CORPORATE TRAINING. Through St. Petersburg College, the county offers corporate training in a myriad of subjects such as computer programs, in their technology department; regulated industry (real estate, water, appraisal, etc.), and professional development and leadership, and computer programs such as Word, Power Point, etc.. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Find Information regarding SBA and all types of loans and financing, reference library, assistance with contracts and business agreements and qualification assistance for industrial revenue bonds. BUSINESS TRAINING. This includes help with business start-ups, tax regulations, business and marketing plans, Bookkeeping/accounting methods and procurement opportunities. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
TARPON SPRINGS PESKA BUSINESS CENTER. Located at the Tarpon Springs Library, Sal Miranda, Business Librarian, can provide you with the latest information on demographics, competition, potential customers, market trends. As well, they have up-to-date data bases for ABI/Inform, Forms on File, Hoover’s Online (American & foreign companies), ReferenceUSA (national directory of more than 12 mil. Businesses and 120 mil households), Standard & Poor’s NetAdvantage, Thomas Register (over 170,000 US manufacturers and WAND (over one million companies in 165 countries). This is just a start. If you need any information, give Sal a call at 943-4922, ext 2, email: tslref@tblc.org or www.tblc.org/tarpon.com SEMINARS. The Peska Business Center and the BAPS program hosts a variety of seminars and workshops to local businesses. These include business and marketing plans, Marketing Tolls and Promotions, financing, professional assistance and other subjects requested by the business community. If you have suggestions for seminar topics you would be interested in, please let me know. We are always looking for new ideas. If you have an immediate need or problem, would like additional information on the above programs, have questions or need help in any business needs in Tarpon Springs, please feel free contact our BAPS staff person at the Chamber any time(727) 937-6109, x113, or via email BAPS@tarponspringschamber.org. We look forward to meeting you! |