Small Business Resources Guide

AT THE LIBRARY

Meeting Rooms

Meeting rooms are available for a fee for businesses and other groups.  They are equipped with a whiteboard and large display monitor or screen that can be hooked up to a laptop for presentations. Please see the Meeting Room page for more information and to place a reservation.

Magazine and Reference Collection

The library subscribes to several business periodicals, in print and electronically. Find current and back issues of The Economist, Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, and others in print at several library locations. More titles are available electronically via the databases and apps listed below. The reference and non-fiction collections at the Central Library include books and indexes related to business, manufacturing, and finance.

Online Resources From The Library

Business Collection

Articles from academic journals and trade magazines on all business disciplines, including accounting, economics, finance, marketing, management and strategy, as well as business theory and practice.

Business Insights: Essentials

Authoritative company and industry information, including investment research, SWOT analyses, corporate histories, market and industry research reports, and articles from Market Share Reporter and Business Rankings Annual. Also includes financial reports of publicly traded U.S. companies, from Thomson Reuters.

DemographicsNow

Reports on any geographical area with information such as income, housing, race, age, education, retail spending, consumer expenditures, businesses and more.

Entrepreneurship Center

Sample business plans, articles related to how to start and manage a business, directories of information by business type or topic, and trustworthy websites. 

Hoopla

Browse the non-fiction business eBooks and eAudiobooks section to located over 1000s of items on business-related topics that can be instantly downloaded to your computer or Hoopla app. Includes several titles from Harvard Business Review and Business Plans Handbooks.

NewsBank

Access Business News offers articles from over 530 business journals and newswires.

Overdrive

eBooks and eAudiobooks. Search ‘business’ and locate 100s of items on business-related topics that can instantly be downloaded to your computer, Kindle, or Libby app.

Small Business Collection

120 recent full-text journals and magazines tailored to those interested in small business. Content includes tips, strategies and success stories.

Florida & National Websites

Small Business USA

Articles and training videos on the latest government regulations, financing opportunities, starting a business, and exporting goods.

Business Licensing in Florida

Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation

Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Florida Small Business

Assessment tools, analysis templates, worksheets, how-to articles, and links for local Florida Information and resources.

26 West Center

A center on the SCF campus open to students, alumni, and residents of the Bradenton/Sarasota area that includes office spaces, the Entrepreneurship Academy, and the Coding Academy. 

OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov

From the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, this portal has interactive checklists for starting your specific business in Florida.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Information and tutorials for financing your business, writing a business plan, obtaining business licenses, and more. Includes recover resources for COVID-19.

Local Resources

Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation

(941-803-9030) 26 West Center, 5840 26th Street W., Bradenton, FL 34207

Services and statistical information to help businesses succeed in Bradenton. 

Connect Central

(877-344-7403) 1201 6th Ave. W., Bradenton

Collaborative workspace, office and conference room rental, networking and training opportunities, and event space.

Downtown Development Authority

(941-932-9440) Program Administrator Karen Kyser

Serves as the Advisory Board to the CRA for the 14th Street Community Redevelopment Area and the Bradenton Community Redevelopment Area.

Manatee Chamber of Commerce

(941-748-3411) 222 10th St. W., Bradenton

Information and opportunities to establish business in Manatee County.

Manasota Score

(941-955-1029) 2801 Fruitville Road Suite 280, Sarasota

Free business mentoring, local and online workshops and seminars, podcasts, templates, tools, and tips.

Florida Small Business Development Center, USF: Manatee office

(813-396-2721, by appointment only) Manatee Chamber of Commerce, 222 10th St W., Bradenton, FL 34205

Assists emerging and existing businesses to grow and succeed through no-cost consulting, information, and training. Website features resources and information on financing, business plans, disaster preparedness, international trade, and government contracting for small businesses.

Spark Growth

(941-228-4033) 912 7th Ave. East, Bradenton

Entrepreneur services, including the Station 2 Innovation business incubator. CEO: Sara Hand

Thrive

Sarasota-based business accelerator and co-working space. Affiliated with CareerSource. Contact Michael Meerman