From startups to family-owned shops, WPB offers a strong foundation for entrepreneurs. Explore the resources, networks and success stories that show why the city is a launchpad for small business growth.
Thinking about starting or relocating a business to West Palm Beach? You’ve picked a city that’s deeply committed to your success. Whether you’re building out a storefront, launching a tech startup, or growing a legacy family business, WPB’s small business ecosystem is designed to lift you up.
City Support & Incentives
The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is one of the core engines driving small business growth. Through its various incentive programs, the CRA supports commercial development in key areas of the city — including storefronts, mixed-use renovation, and infrastructure.
If your business is downtown, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) also offers grants. You can apply for façade improvements (awnings, signage, landscaping) — up to 50% covered, with storefront grants up to $10,000 and larger building grants up to $20,000.
Plus, bigger development projects may qualify for even more robust support: the CRA’s Real Estate Development Accelerator (REDA) helps larger investments with tax increment financing, landmark down, and infrastructure aid.
Programs & Resources for Entrepreneurs
Under Mayor Keith A. James, the city’s Office of Small Business Programs offers hands-on services to help you grow. From certification to access city contracts, they’re actively leveling the playing field.
Certification unlocks opportunity: certified small and minority-owned businesses receive early notifications on city contracts, invitations to matchmaker events, and access to special technical assistance.
If credit-building and business training is what you need, check out the Mayor’s Jumpstart Academy. It’s a 10-week cohort that helps underserved entrepreneurs build their models — and participants may receive up to $5,000 to launch or grow their companies.
Business Intelligence Tools
Launched in 2025, SizeUp West Palm Beach is a free, city-provided market research platform built for entrepreneurs. With it, you can:
- Analyze local customer demographics
- Identify suppliers and competitors
- Project industry performance in WPB
- Validate your business strategy using real data
This kind of intelligence is often only accessible to large corporations — but in WPB, it’s available to every entrepreneur.
West Palm Beach isn’t just about growth — it’s about intentional, community-centered growth. The CRA’s redevelopment efforts don’t only revive buildings — they reinvest in neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, economic development is a core priority: the Office of Economic Development champions innovation, infrastructure, and talent, making WPB a city built for business and balance. For entrepreneurs, that means more than access to capital: it means a genuine partner in the journey.
Ready to join WPB’s small business community? Contact the city’s Office of Small Business Programs or explore CRA incentives — you just might find the perfect launchpad for your next chapter.
The Office of Small Business Programs
City Hall
401 Clematis Street
2nd Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-822-2104
shammerstein@wpb.org
