Pathway for Business Development
The
City’s Office of Business Assistance has worked to create a stable and
diversified economy in the Parramore community by creating an
entrepreneurial environment and offering business assistance support
that has retained businesses and attracted targeted employers and small
neighborhood-oriented businesses.
New Business Openings
Despite the current challenging economic climate,
Parramore has welcomed 11 new retail and commercial businesses since
July 2009, including:
- Emma’s Home Style Cooking (692 West
Robinson Street)
- Before and After Salon and Barber
Shop (648 1/2 West South Street)
- Sole Scenic (747 West Church Street)
- Votum Construction, LLC (711 West
Amelia Street)
- Anna Ayala, LLC (523 West South
Street)
- Precision Optical Corp. (805 West
Central Boulevard)
Buy Local Orlando
In 2009, the City launched the Buy Local Orlando
campaign to connect businesses with the buying power of the Orlando
community.
- Nearly 20 locally-owned
businesses in Parramore participate in Buy Local Orlando, some
of those businesses offering additional specials for Parramore
residents.
City of Orlando Business Assistance Programs:
Since June 2005, the City has leveraged nearly $535,000
to assist small businesses in Parramore. Highlights of businesses that
have benefited from the Business Assistance program include:
- All Tied Up – received
technical and financial assistance
- A & A Motors Pumps Sales and
Service – received interest-free loan for façade
improvements
- Gary’s Seafood Specialties –
received matching funds to off-set development fees,
building permits and infrastructure installation and repair
- Johnson’s Diner – received
funding to address financial gaps that could not be handled
through conventional financing sources
- Midtown Realty – received
funding for storefront façade improvements
Technical and Financial Assistance for Businesses
Along Vendors Way
For businesses along West Church Street, the Amway Center
will bring opportunities to pursue new business as thousands of new
customers will be drawn to the area for sporting and special events.
- The City of Orlando’s
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the Orlando
Magic partnered to provide business and technical
assistance to eight merchants in the 300 and 400 blocks
of West Church Street to help the businesses better
maximize on these opportunities. The six-month
assistance program provided:
- market research and
evaluating the needs of consumers
- planning for growth
by incorporating marketing
- sales strategies and
individualized consulting to increase productivity
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