The City of Winter Park and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) have announced their partnership with the National Entrepreneur Center (NEC) and the launch of the Winter Park Business Academy (WPBA). The WPBA is open to all businesses in the Winter Park city limits and will offer free resources, workshops and individualized business coaching to assist with starting or growing a business.

Those with existing or aspirational small businesses were invited to the inaugural interactive WPBA session in October. Entrepreneurs learned about the WPBA and all the resources available through the Academy to assist in making businesses successful.

In celebration of the NEC’s 20th Anniversary, this new partnership furthers their mission to develop and grow small businesses. Although housed at the Orlando Fashion Square Mall, the WPBA delivers valuable NEC resources directly to Winter Park.

Kyle Dudgeon, Assistant Division Director of Economic Development/CRA, said, “The creation of the WPBA brings to life specific areas of the CRA Plan and City’s Economic Development Advisory Board’s Strategic Plan that focuses on the expansion of businesses and the development of small, entrepreneurial, minority and home-based businesses. To have the resources offered by the NEC and the expertise of skilled program managers of BizLink Orange, Central Florida International Trade Office teams and Score Orlando is a win-win-win for our community.”

For more information regarding the WPBA, go to BizLinkOrange.com/WinterPark.