Metro Orlando is one of the United States fastest growing business locations, and is increasingly being considered as an expansion location for international companies. The EDC works directly with international companies looking at their global expansion options. This includes assisting with the site selection process, connecting international companies to small business assistance programs and helping companies identify potential tax incentives.

Site Selection
The EDC assists international companies looking to expand into the U.S. by helping to identify sites that meet specific project needs. This includes identifying sites with access to transportation hubs, qualified labor pools and specific market opportunities.

Small Business Assistance Programs/Incubators
Small businesses have specific needs, and the Metro Orlando region has a sophisticated infrastructure of programs and organizations geared to overcoming these challenges. This has led to the region being ranked one of the top locations for entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur magazine.

One of the region’s biggest assets is the presence of one of top 10 technology incubators in the nation. The Central Florida Technology Incubator is located in the Central Florida Research Park, adjacent to the University of Central Florida’s main Orlando campus. This facility provides early stage technology companies with the tools, training, and infrastructure necessary to create financially stable, high growth enterprises. Currently, the facility houses more than 30 emerging technology companies and has generated more than 400 new jobs and $100 million in revenues from sales and research and development grants.

The region is also home to several other important facilities such as the Seminole Technology Business Incubation Center, which is a joint venture of Seminole County, Seminole County Port Authority and Seminole State College of Florida. In 2003, Metro Orlando also became home to the Disney Entrepreneur Center, one of only two such facilities in the country. The NEC brings together a network of service providers and other resources in a one-stop shop for small businesses. Services include business counseling, training, financial assistance, and access to a software lab outfitted with research tools.