Sanford Launches Free Online Training Program for Small Businesses

The City of Sanford and the Sanford Community Redevelopment Agency announced a collaboration with Retail Strategies on December 16, 2025 to deliver virtual, no cost, on demand Small Business Support training to locally owned businesses across the city. The program uses a user friendly learning management system to provide self paced training videos, downloadable resources, and a peer to peer chat forum so business owners can access help on their own schedules.

The platform includes five targeted learning paths that allow participants to focus on topics most relevant to their operations and growth plans. Sanford Mainstreet and the Greater Sanford Chamber of Commerce will provide additional assistance and support to businesses that enroll, creating a local network to amplify the online course content.

Mayor Art Woodruff said "the program is designed to help businesses strengthen operations, plan for growth, and adapt to an evolving economic environment." That aim fits with the goals of the Sanford CRA to stimulate investment in commercial corridors and support the small firms that generate local jobs and sales tax revenue.

For Seminole County entrepreneurs this offering reduces two common barriers to training, cost and scheduling. The no cost model lowers upfront financial strain for micro enterprises and sole proprietors, while the on demand format helps owners balance education with day to day operations. The inclusion of a peer forum also creates opportunities for informal knowledge sharing and local trade referrals that can have direct short term benefits.

From a market perspective, improving the managerial capacity of small businesses can raise the probability of survival and growth, which in turn supports commercial occupancy and consumer choice in downtown Sanford and neighborhood shopping areas. From a policy standpoint, the partnership aligns public redevelopment tools with private sector expertise, leveraging limited public resources to deliver scalable business assistance.

Businesses interested in registering or seeking more information should contact Pamela Lynch, Economic Development Program Manager for the City of Sanford, at pamela.lynch@sanfordfl.gov. The initiative began December 16, 2025 and will continue as an on demand resource for eligible local businesses.