Entrepreneur help desk

Entrepreneurs in Lee County who need help starting and growing their business have lots of choices when it comes to getting help.

From retired executives to universities and small-business networks, there's an endless parade of folks ready to lend a hand. Problem is, there's no central clearinghouse to find those resources.

Now, the Lee County Economic Development Office is working on a project to bring those resources together, with a website that would direct entrepreneurs to organizations that can help them.

The Lee Entrepreneurs Assistance Network would act as a sort of help desk to steer entrepreneurs seeking grants, professional advice and other services. For example, veterans might find programs that can help them launch businesses using funds earmarked for them at Florida Gulf Coast University.

The economic development organization has created a website, learnswfl.com, that will be populated by participating organizations. “The skeleton is there and it's time to add meat to the bone,” says Glen Salyer, director of the Lee County Economic Development Office.