In honor of the Governor's Proclamation observing October 2009 as Florida Small Business Month, the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, in partnership with the Florida Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) and Small Business Regulatory Advisory Council (Council), is convening a series of Press Conferences/Briefings.

• Jerry Cartwright, Florida SBDC Network State Director
• Ralph Ross, U.S. Small Business Administration North Florida Deputy District Director
  
• Lewis Attardo, Office of the Florida Small Business Advocate

Representatives from local business partners and SBDC small business clients are also invited to participate.

Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp is unable to attend due to an FSBDCN scheduling change.

Friday, October 16
11:00 a.m. – Noon

Senate Office Building Room 401
Tallahassee

Named Florida’s Principal Provider of Small Business Assistance and the administrator of OSBA and Council by state statute, the Florida SBDC Network is convening a series of press conferences around the state during October—the first to be held in Tallahassee—to increase awareness of the critical role and the impact small business has on the state’s economy.

The Florida Legislature passed FL Ch. 2008-149, which became effective July 1, 2008, establishing the Council and OSBA. The Florida SBDC Network was charged with implementing, administratively housing and supporting both programs. While the programs serve different functions, both give small businesses a greater voice in state government. The programs are designed to help prevent new rules, regulations, and state legislation from being implemented until time and effort has been taken to ensure small businesses are not unfairly burdened by their requirements.

Since March 2009, the OSBA has been reaching out to small businesses in the state through a series of Small Business Issues Forums to discover the concerns of small business owners in the current economic situation and to explore solutions that may be implemented on a state level to aid in small business success. At the Press Conference, the OSBA will present a preview of the recommendations collected from the Forums and provide an opportunity for additional discussion and feedback prior to the submission of a final report to Florida’s Governor and the Florida Legislature.

The Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network of 35 centers, is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, hosted by the University of West Florida and accredited through the national Association of SBDCs. For over 30 years, the FSBDCN has nourished 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 for the businesses, and economic prosperity for the state. To learn more about the FSBDCN or to find an SBDC near you, visit www.FloridaSBDC.org or call 1.866.737.7232.