Charlotte County Press Releases 
Southwest Florida Jobs Retain, Expand, Create Program
For Immediate Release
Contact: Debrah Forester, AICP, Redevelopment Manager
Phone: 941.627.3023
Email: debrah.forester@charlottefl.com
The Southwest Florida Jobs Retain, Expand, Create Program
The Charlotte County Economic Development Office (EDO) is participating in the “Southwest Florida Jobs Retain, Expand, Create” Program, which is a collaborative effort among regional economic development and workforce development organizations to identify job opportunities that can be created locally through business outreach. Enterprise Florida and the Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board have developed several programs to assist area businesses including workforce training grants, export assistance, assistance with federal and state procurement opportunities, and SBA financing.
In order to best identify the needs of local businesses, the Charlotte County EDO is encouraging all businesses to participate in an online survey that is available by visiting www.FloridaEDO.com and clicking on the “Business Retention and Expansion Survey” link on the upper left-hand corner.
In addition, EDO staff is scheduling onsite visits with businesses that fall within the State of Florida’s defined “targeted” industries. The target industry list includes: Information Technology; Financial/Professional services; Clean Energy; Life Sciences; Aerospace / Aviation; Water Technology; and Homeland Security and Defense.
If your business is looking for qualified employees, there are two resources to consider: the Career and Service Centers of Southwest Florida, www.careerandservicecenter.org, and Employ Florida, www.employflorida.com. The Career and Service Centers provide individuals with access to employment, education and training, as well as self-service and staff-assisted services. Employ Florida is the State’s official online portal to virtual job-matching services and various workforce resources. It provides several resources to both employers and job seekers in order to help put Floridians back to work.
For further information on the Business and Retention Program please call the Charlotte County Economic Development Office at 941.627.3023.
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Release Date: 9/9/2009
