Florida Small Business Development Center at USF Opens New Location

October 7, 2022 – Sarasota

Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida opens a new location within The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce building at 1945 Fruitville Road with Scott Carpenter as lead business consultant. Florida SBDC at USF assists aspiring, emerging and existing businesses in Sarasota and Manatee counties, through no-cost confidential business consulting, market research, and low-cost training. The Florida SBDC at USF co-location is an example of how the Sarasota Chamber continues to expand upon member benefits to promote, support and connect the business community.

“Our 2022 survey results indicated marketing/communications, sales skills training and strategic planning as top needs of our businesses.  With access to SBDC coaching, we can expand the education provided by our Shumaker Chamber University skills training all year-long. We believe this adds even more value to the portfolio of benefits our members currently enjoy,” said Heather Kasten, President/CEO, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. 

Scott Carpenter who is the point of contact at the Chamber location, has experience in leading national B2C and B2B campaigns to increase profit and loss results through small to multi-million budgets. Carpenter joined the Florida SBDC at USF with a marketing communications and public relations career spanning three decades. Carpenter also successfully launched and grew his own public relations and communications firm that has recorded more than $10 million in billings.

“The Florida SBDC at USF is excited to have its Sarasota office located within The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce,” states Carpenter. “Through our no-cost consultations, our goal is to provide Chamber members and all local executives with insight and market expertise that accelerate their business. From business planning to financial assessment, access to capital and marketing analysis, our team is poised to help the Sarasota business community grow and thrive.”

As a business consultant, Carpenter can assist Chamber members with disaster relief loans for businesses affected by Hurricane Ian and help them create a long-term strategic plan for their company. With the help of Carpenter and Florida SBDC at USF, The Chamber will be able to better support its members and their needs.