Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approve a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Indian River State College, School of Continuing Education (IRSC-SCE), and the City of Port St. Lucie for the Port St. Lucie Business Accelerator Program for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027
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Submitted By: Elijah Wooten, Economic Development Administrator.
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of a diverse local economy and employment opportunities.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: Carly Fabien, Deputy City Attorney.
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie and Indian River State College, School of Continuing Education.
3. Purpose: The purpose of the Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) is to identify and formalize the roles, responsibilities, and relationship between IRSC-SCE and the City of Port St. Lucie relating to the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 Port St. Lucie Business Accelerator Program.
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New.
5. Duration: The MOA would expire June 30, 2027.
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: The Business Accelerator Program is a ten-week course conducted by instructors with the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and IRSC-SCE for new and existing small businesses located in Port St. Lucie.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): The annual cost for FY 2025-2026 is $9,300, which includes $4,650 for the Fall 2025 course and $4,650 for the Spring 2026 course. The annual cost for FY 2026-2027 is $9,600 which includes $4,800 for the Fall 2026 course and $4,800 for the Spring 2027 course. There is an optional cost of $500 for a final networking event.
Presentation Information: Elijah Wooten, Economic Development Administrator, will be available to answer questions from the City Council.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the Memorandum of Agreement between Indian River State College, School of Continuing Education and the City of Port St. Lucie for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 Business Accelerator Program.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the Memorandum of Agreement between Indian River State College, School of Continuing Education and the City of Port St. Lucie for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 Business Accelerator Program.
2. Move that the Council not approve the Memorandum of Agreement between Indian River State College, School of Continuing Education and the City of Port St. Lucie for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 Business Accelerator Program and provide staff direction.
Background: In 2018, the Office of Economic Development established the Port St. Lucie Business Accelerator Program to assist new and existing small businesses understand the business basics to establish, maintain and grow their business in Port St. Lucie. The Business Accelerator Program is a ten-week course developed by Indian River State College, School of Continuing Education and facilitated by IRSC-SCE and the Florida Small Business Development Center consultants that serve as the course instructors. The Business Accelerator Program is held during the Fall and Spring semesters at Indian River State College Pruitt Campus.
Issues/Analysis: Since the Business Accelerator Program was established two hundred fifty-five (255) businesses have participated and one hundred sixty-eight (168) businesses have graduated. Businesses that successfully complete the program are eligible to apply for a small business grant that will reimburse up to $5,000 for eligible expenses which includes the purchase of inventory and supplies; advertising and marketing; professional services and employee training. To date $256,500 in small business grants were awarded to Port St. Lucie small businesses that successfully completed the program.
Financial Information: The $9,300 requested for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 will be paid from the Office of Economic Development budget code - other contractual services 0015200-534000. The $9,600 requested for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Business Accelerator Program will be paid from the Office of Economic Development budget code - other contractual services 0015200-534000.
Special Consideration: The Fall 2025 Business Accelerator Program course is scheduled to start August 6, 2025. The date for the Spring 2026 Business Accelerator Program is to be determined by IRSC-SCE based on the availability of the SCE and Florida SBDC instructors.
Location of Project: Indian River State College Pruitt Campus - 500 NW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986.
Attachments: Memorandum of Agreement.
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 25141-07.
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Carly Fabien, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, Interim City Attorney.