Local resources
Northwest Florida small business resources
Free, official places to start — gathered for owners we meet around Pace, Pensacola and Navarre.
The short answer
Business owners in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties can get free one-on-one advising from the Florida SBDC at UWF, register for sales tax with the Florida Department of Revenue, find county business resources, connect with local chambers and use state and federal disaster-recovery programs.
Last reviewed
- Headquartered in Pace, Florida
- Local installation and support
- BBB Accredited Business
- Replies within one business day
Free business advice
- Florida SBDC at UWFNo-cost, confidential consulting for planning, financing and growth, with a Pensacola office and a Navarre office.
Registration and taxes
- Florida sales taxRegister with the Florida Department of Revenue before you make taxable sales.
- County business resourcesSanta Rosa County lists business, career and legal resources, including local business tax.
Local chambers
Listed as public resources. A listing here does not imply a partnership.
- Santa Rosa County Chamber of CommerceCountywide business network and events.
- Pensacola ChamberBusiness resources for the Pensacola area.
- Navarre Beach Area ChamberBusiness network for the Navarre area.
After a disaster
- Santa Rosa County ESF 18The county’s business and industry support function after an emergency.
- FloridaCommerce Emergency Bridge LoanShort-term loans when the state activates the program after a disaster.
- SBA emergency preparednessPlanning guidance and disaster-loan information.
Questions owners ask
Common questions
- Where can I get free help writing a business plan?
- The Florida SBDC at UWF offers no-cost, confidential consulting, including business planning and financing preparation.
- Do I need to register for Florida sales tax?
- If you make taxable sales in Florida, you register with the Florida Department of Revenue before you start. Its site explains who must register.
- Can GCMS help with my POS and payments when I open?
- Yes. We can help you choose, install and set up a POS and card payments, and point you to the planning resources above.
Official sources
- Florida SBDC at UWF: Consulting (opens in a new tab)
- Florida SBDC at UWF: Navarre office (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Department of Revenue: Sales and use tax (opens in a new tab)
- Santa Rosa County: Business, career and legal resources (opens in a new tab)
- Chamber: Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce (opens in a new tab)
- Pensacola Chamber: Business resources (opens in a new tab)
- Chamber: Navarre Beach Area Chamber (opens in a new tab)
- Santa Rosa County: ESF 18 — business and industry (opens in a new tab)
- FloridaCommerce: Emergency Bridge Loan (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Small Business Administration: Prepare for emergencies (opens in a new tab)
Related guides
Keep planning
- Hurricane Season ReadinessOffline limits, backup power and a safe restart.
- POS SolutionsThe platform families we work with.
- Switching POSWhat carries over and how the cutover works.
- Visit Our Pace HeadquartersWhere we are, and what to bring to a visit.
- Where We Install and SupportNorthwest Florida locally, and onsite nationwide depending on the project.
Opening or growing a business here?
Tell us what you are planning. A local specialist helps you choose and set up the POS and payments side.