BE HEARD | DIALOGUE | NETWORK
4BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL FRIDAY , DECEMBER 16 , 2016
By : Jasmine M . Jones , MPA , MCA
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
If you are one of the more than 45,000 small businesses in Broward County , you owe it to yourself to get acquainted with the County ’ s Office of Economic and Small Business Development ( OESBD ). As its name suggests , OESBD is both an economic development engine , responsible for recrui�ng and retaining new industry and promo�ng interna�onal trade , and a small business advocate , suppor�ng new and exis�ng small businesses and promo�ng contrac�ng opportuni�es available through the County ’ s procurement of goods and services . Last year , Broward purchased
more than $ 600M in goods and services , with $ 57M going to local small businesses . However , it ’ s not enough , so OESBD staff are rolling up their sleeves and doing more .
Educate
OESBD provides free training opportuni�es and workshops to support businesses throughout the development lifecycle : start-up , growth , maturity and beyond . “ We ’ ve been helping local businesses for years , but now we are taking a fresh look at our approach to providing services ,” said Sandy-Michael E . McDonald , OESBD Director . By expanding the size and scope of training offered and incorpora�ng social media , OESBD is reaching more businesses . Training programs such as the Kauffman FastTrac curriculum target entrepreneurs , and business development workshops promote access to Broward County agencies , resources , and contrac�ng opportuni�es .
OESBD cer�fies small businesses in local and Federal programs that ul�mately afford firms access to greater opportuni�es through government contrac�ng . The Technical Assistance Training Program focuses on providing businesses with the
tools they need to get cer�fied and to do business with Broward and other buyers in the marketplace .
Engage
OESBD is working to engage small businesses directly by providing one-on-one technical assistance , and promo�ng new trends and ac�vi�es via Twi�er , FaceBook and YouTube . The office ’ s Business Assistance Weekly e-bulle�n , which publicizes events and open solicita�ons from Broward County and other public agencies , connects OESBD to more than 6,000 subscribers . OESBD also facilitates meet and greet networking events to connect primes and subcontractors with targeted contrac�ng opportuni�es . “ Yet , it ’ s s�ll not enough ,” McDonald points out . “ We want to hear from the business community so we can be�er address their needs .”
Empower
OESBD ’ s inaugural “ Broward is Listening ” public forum debuted last month as a series of guided and open discussions to garner feedback . The community is invited to share concerns , challenges and successes in business . Upcoming “ Broward is Listening ” public forums are scheduled as follows :
• Thursday , April 20 , 2017 | 5:30 to 7:00 PM - North Regional / Broward College Library , Auditorium , Room 154 , Bldg . 62 , Coconut Creek , FL
• Thursday , August 3 , 2017 | 5:30 to 7:30 PM – City of Miramar Mul�-Services Complex , Banquet Hall , Miramar , FL
A�endees are encouraged to bring their ques�ons and comments . McDonald will be joined by key office staff and members of the Broward County Small Business Development Advisory Board . “ We will present the topics , listen to the comments and compile the feedback , to allow us to provide answers to ques�ons , and ul�mately provide resolu�ons ,” said McDonald .
To learn more about OESBD and to register for a “ Broward is Listening ” forum , visit Broward . org / EconDev or call 954-357-6400 .
Jasmine M . Jones , MPA , MCA is the Pulic Infromation Officer for the Community Relations and Outreach Section of the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development .
BROWARD IS LISTENING
Thursday , April 20 , 2017 | 5:30 to 7:00 PM
North Regional / Broward College Library , 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd ., Coconut Creek , FL
Meet with key representatives of Broward County ’ s Office of Economic and Small Business Development and Small Business Development Advisory Board .
WHO SHOULD ATTEND ? TOPICS OF DISCUSSION :
• Business owners with an office located in Broward County who are NOT currently certified with the County
• Business owners who want to increase their revenue
• Anyone with questions about business initiatives
• Entrepreneurs with plans to start or expand a business
BE HEARD | DIALOGUE | NETWORK
Thursday , August 3 , 2017 | 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Banquet Hall at the City of Miramar Multi-Services Complex , 6700 Miramar Parkway , Miramar , FL
• Challenges associated with getting SBE & CBE certified
• Removing myths and addressing realities
• Multi-million dollar contracts that are available
• Expectations , experiences and needs
������������������������������������������������ 115 S . Andrews Ave ., Room A680 , Fort Lauderdale , FL 33301 | 954-357-6400 | Broward . org / EconDev We ’ re Social ! Follow and Like Us : @ BCOESBD Broward County OESBD
To learn more and to register online , visit Broward . org / EconDev .
Registration is strongly encouraged . This event is subject to change . Individuals requiring accommodations to participate must notify us in advance .