Business Resource Center (BRC)

The Business Resource Center is a program developed by the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce devoted to providing assistance, guidance and aid to small and new businesses in Gainesville/Alachua County. The goal of the BRC is to champion the growth of local small businesses by providing opportunities for networking, visibility, referrals, education and training pertinent business information.

The BRC provides simplified steps to success by collaborating with our service providers and other resources; the BRC provides much needed direction and guidance essential for success.

Entrepreneurs can find valuable resources at the BRC including training, both virtual and live, to help guide small business owners through the matrix of business ventures. We also offer personalized one-on-one coaching to small business owners.

Consultation Program

The Consultation Program was created by the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council to help Chamber member businesses receive much needed assistance in critical areas of business. Consultations are offered to small business members in the areas of insurance, banking, marketing, accounting, computer, financial planning, engineering and public relations.

The intent of the program is to provide preliminary direction and advisement to member companies experiencing a need for specific professional services, or companies facing issues which will likely require outside counsel or assistance. The program offers all member companies the opportunity to receive up to 60 minutes of free consultation. Consultants are qualified professionals recruited from Chamber member businesses who willing to donate their time to help fellow members.

Mentoring Program

The Business Mentoring Program was created by the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council to allow newly established businesses, entrepreneurs seeking rapid growth or businesses facing challenging times, to learn from the experiences and techniques established by successful, existing business owners. The Mentoring Program provides one-on-one mentoring sessions from qualified business owners and senior executives who have owned or managed a business for a minimum of five years, to small businesses that may lack sufficient expertise and resources.

ACCE$$ Loan Program

The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce ACCE$$ Loan Program’s mission is to provide easier access to the financing and business advice necessary to start or grow your business. This program is committed to fostering economic growth and enhancing business opportunities for minorities, women and small businesses. The ACCE$$ Program is designed to improve your odds of approval for a loan that matches your business needs. While there are no guarantees, our program will help to educate you of your securing the credit desired. The program provides valuable feedback from experts in the lending community to assist you in putting together a business plan and gathering invaluable information for your success.

BRIDGE Program
(Building Relationships through Internship Development with Gainesville Employers)

The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of Florida Career Resource Center designed the BRIDGE Internship Partnership Program to answer workforce and experience needs by matching UF students with local businesses. The program has two goals: to enhance personnel recruitment efforts by creating a diverse feeder pool of qualified applicants to fill long-term, full-time positions within organizations in Alachua County; to equip students with practical real-world work experience that will help the student into a secure, long-term employment opportunity.