Placement: Proclamations and Special presentations
Action Requested: Discussion
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A Presentation to the Port St. Lucie City Council Regarding Support for Small Business Programs Provided by the Office of Economic Development, the St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Small Business Development Center, and the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency Business Center.
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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.
Executive Summary (General Business): An update and presentation on the support of small businesses in Port St. Lucie will be provided by the Office of Economic Development, the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center.
Presentation Information: The update will be provided by Elijah Wooten (Economic Development Administrator), Terissa Aronson (President - St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce), Tom Kindred (Regional Director - Florida Small Business Development Center) and Starr Chambers (Business Consultant - US Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency Business Center). The Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Assistance Program presentation will be delivered upon receipt separately in advance of the Special City Council meeting.
Staff Recommendation: Request that the Council hear the presentations provided by the small business development service providers.
Background: In 2020, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Council added “Support for Small Business” to Goal 4 of the City’s Strategic Plan. The City Council approved funding a full-time consultant for the Florida Small Business Development Center for Port St. Lucie businesses. The City Council approved funding the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Assistance Program to help new companies understand the City’s regulatory requirements. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency Business Center received CARES ACT funding to provide support to minority business impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding provided a full-time consultant for the MBDA Business Center to provide support for Port St. Lucie minority businesses. Indian River State College provided office space in the Enterprise Hub at the Pruitt Campus in St. Lucie West. The presentations will provide an overview of the programs and assistance offered to support small businesses in Port St. Lucie.
Issues/Analysis: N/A
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: The small business support programs are offered citywide to small businesses in Port St. Lucie.
Attachments:
1. Office of Economic Development - Small Business Support Presentation,
2. SLC Chamber of Commerce Small Business Assistance Program Presentation,
3. Florida SBDC - Port St. Lucie Impact Report,
4. MBDA Business Center Program Presentation.
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: N/A
Legal Sufficiency Review:
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