Business Needs Assessed to Help Develop
South Florida Small Business Development Center

Pensacola, FL: Small business owners and managers in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties have a two-week opportunity to help shape a new Regional Small Business Development Center and outreach offices that will provide educational training and technical assistance services in the region. An internet-based survey is now available to respond for that purpose. Businesses must log on at www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2btIy2ml8AoWsMEd7NWVWuA_3d_3d and complete the survey by April 14. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete. Businesses may also attend local roundtable discussions regarding needs in the region hosted by one of the partnering organizations committed to help establish the new regional SBDC program.

South Florida Workforce; Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce; Key Largo Chamber of Commerce; CAMACOL, the Latin Chamber of Commerce; and the Doral Business Council are partnering with the Florida SBDC Network to make the survey available, as well as build the new regional program. Funding and information relative to South Florida needs developed by these organizations will ensure that the new South Florida SBDC is designed to meet the needs of the region which is scheduled for official start up on January 1, 2009.

Florida SBDCs cover the state with an infrastructure designed to meet small business needs. Core services consist of free and confidential one-on-one counseling, business education training in every aspect and function of business management, and information for better decision making. Special technical assistance programs such as government contracting through the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers teaches businesses how to do business with local, state and federal governments. 

Florida’s SBDC program is funded under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. More information on the Florida SBDC Network may be obtained from www.FloridaSBDC.org or by calling 1.866.737.7232.

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with assistance enabling overall growth and increased profitability that contributes to the economic prosperity of the state.