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 Bu...
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