SMALL BUSINESS WEEK HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DEP AND COMMUNITIES

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DEP AND COMMUNITIES

~DEP offers free assistance to help small businesses comply with environmental regulations ~

TALLAHASSEE Today kicks off National Small Business Week- a chance to celebrate entrepreneurship and recognize successful small businesses. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is using the week as an opportunity to highlight the free and confidential assistance its Small Business Environmental Assistance Program provides year-round.

"Small businesses drive Florida's economy and we want to help them be successful," said Paula L. Cobb, director of DEP's Division of Air Resource Management. "By offering free assistance to small business owners, we ensure more know about environmental requirements and are able to comply with them."

The department recognizes many small businesses may need help understanding the environmental regulations. That’s why it commits to helping Florida's small business community achieve and maintain regulatory compliance through free support, education, outreach and advocacy.

Some of the more noteworthy services the program provides are one-on-one phone consultations, assistance with permits, onsite visits by DEP staff to advise on pollution prevention solutions or troubleshoot environmental compliance issues, and resource materials specific to each type of business.

For more information about the assistance program call 1-800-722-7457, email Small.Business@dep.state.fl.us or click here.