Engineering and Planning Resources Joins Pensacola's Chamber Incubator

Via the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce:
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Sept. 14, 2010 - Bonita Player, principal of Engineering and Planning Resources (EPR), is the newest tenant of the Gulf Coast Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE).
 
CIE is a partnership between the chamber and Pensacola State College, located at the school's downtown campus on Garden Street. The CIE supports technology-based entrepreneurs who create jobs and can sustain long-term economic growth for the area. Tenants have access to office space and equipment, a conference room and resources from the "Friends of CIE," comprising accountants, attorneys and business consultants to help meet the needs of their start-up businesses. 
 
"Bonita's potential to grow her company's revenues from projects located outside of the Pensacola Bay Area was a critical component to the company's selection as a client of the CIE," said Charles Wood, senior vice president of economic development for the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. 
 
EPR offers specialty transportation engineering and planning, environmental planning, public involvement and civil engineering services. EPR is certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in Florida and Virginia. 
 
"Pensacola is a great area because it's a booming market, it's growing rapidly and it gives you the opportunity to work with different people in different areas," said Player. "People here are very giving of their time and resources."

Player was one of 12 graduates of the chamber's Excellence in Entrepreneurship course last winter. The 12-session course, which will be offered again this fall, provides one-on-one consultations and real-world examples to assist entrepreneurs in the completion of a business plan. 

"The CIE is continuing to seek out new companies that will grow the region's knowledge and employment base," said Jim Donatelli, CIE chairman and city president for Regions Financial Corp. "EPR is a welcome addition to the CIE's client base and has significant growth potential for the Pensacola region."

For more information on the services of the CIE, call Bridgette Price at (850) 438-4081, e-mailavpecondev@pensacolachamber.com or visit www.gulfcoastinnovation.com.