|
 Among the things I am most proud of as Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development Director is the County’s leadership in international trade and investment. We began this journey ten years ago with the addition of Ms. Deborah Wilkinson to our staff. Ms. Wilkinson has been a strong force in advocating economic growth through global business development. In a few months, our “Deb” is expected to take the helm of our professional association, the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC). I cannot think of a better time to have Ms. Wilkinson leading the FEDC.
Recently, President Obama announced his aggressive agenda to get American small businesses to go global as part of his goal to double U.S. exports to $3 trillion within five years. Our mission is to expand businesses and create jobs in Broward County through the support and promotion of trade, and by increased exports and direct foreign investments in the local economy.
Florida will find its way to a more robust economy as we convince more and more small businesses to “go global.” Broward County is well-positioned to help lead the way because we have carefully put the building blocks in place for helping to expand growth opportunities for local small businesses in nearly every aspect of business. The international trade policy foundation established by the Board of County Commissioners, and the leadership of the County Administrator provides the basis for launching a new “Broward Going Global” agenda.
We are committed to help meet the President’s challenge to balance the U.S. trade deficit by expanding American business, one Broward business at a time.
Best Regards,
Norman E. Taylor
Director, Office of Economic and Small Business Development
Three clients of the Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD), Advanced Green Technologies, Hamilton Sundstrand Worldwide Repair, and Valley Forge Fabrics, received Emerald Awards  from the Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department. The Emerald Awards recognize local businesses for their outstanding voluntary, environmentally-responsible business practices in four areas: waste reduction, recycling, improved operating practices, and other "green" strategies that reduce pollution and waste. Both large and small businesses are eligible.
Advanced Green Technologies (AGT), an innovative solar technology company, and Hamilton Sundstrand Worldwide Repair, the locally based aircraft parts repair station of the global corporation that manufactures and supports aerospace and industrial products for worldwide markets, both earned Emerald Awards as "Climate Change Leaders”. Valley Forge Fabrics, local family owned company and worldwide largest supplier of decorative upholstery fabrics for the hospitality industry, has earned an Emerald Award for “Green Products or Practices/Innovation”.
OESBD extends a special congratulations to AGT, Hamilton Sundstrand Worldwide Repair and Valley Forge Fabrics. As the country focuses on creating jobs in the "green" industry, it is fitting that Broward County recognizes the contribution of these businesses to our local economy.
The Broward County Aviation Department, in collaboration with the Office of Economic and Small Business Development, has thus far hosted seven networking mixers for businesses interested in bidding on the runway expansion, and ongoing projects, at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Approximately 700 contractor firms have attended these events. The mixers have been an excellent networking opportunity for firms to gather information on how to do business with prime contractors, learn about the small business engagement processes (such as mentoring, assistance with bonding, and the payment process), and to meet fellow prime and subcontractors who are both veterans and new comers to the industry.
Non-certified subcontractors learn about the Broward County Business Enterprise (CBE) program and the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification (DBE) program - and the benefits of having these certifications. As certified CBE and/or DBE vendors, firms are afforded the opportunity to bid on Broward County contracts with DBE or CBE participation goals.
The success of the mixers thus far has prompted requests for future dates, which will be announced once finalized. We are looking for prime contractors who are interested in hosting some of these future networking/informational events. Any interested parties should contact Jasmine Jones, small business development manager, at 954-359-2340.
May Informational and Networking Mixer
Prime Contractor: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD) Auditorium
100 Aviation Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Broward County means business, international business to be exact. Broward County’s Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) hosted its biggest educational seminar to date on March 24, 2010. Doing Business in Latin America focused on four countries: Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Peru.
The purpose of the seminar was to educate Broward’s business community not only on the basics of doing business overseas, but also on key products in demand in the four targeted countries and specific tips on doing business in each of the countries. Broward County is continuously working to find, explore and educate the community on new business opportunities around the globe.
“During Broward County Missions to Latin America, relationships with economic development professionals are established in order to open doors for more trade between our regions,” stated Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin, County Commissioner for District 8.
Upcoming Seminar
Doing Business In Key East Asian Markets: China, Korea & Japan
April 21, 2010 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
RSVP to Samantha Zerbe at 954-357-6109
Did you know that in 2008 International Trade in South Florida was $90 billion compared to $79.1 billion in 2007; and Broward County has documented 228 foreign companies representing approximately 25 countries and 6,100 employees?
The Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) has been identifying, visiting and tracking companies to visit for expansion and retention purposes in addition to providing technical assistance in export/import training. We invite each of our economic development partners to take the Challenge by helping to identify companies that are doing business globally, in order to capture the full growth of international business in Broward County.
Our OESBD Global Business Development team will be happy to assist you and will also include any companies you provide in our direct mail database for all events, seminars and visits for your areas through this next year. Contact us at 954-357-6155 (voice) or 954-357-5664 (TTY).
The Office of Economic and Small Business Development completed market analyses for 36 countries. Look to see this new information posted on the OESBD web site in June.
The Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) received a $48,000 two-year grant, funded by Workforce Florida, Inc. for a pilot training program to facilitate global trade for marine industry companies. The pilot grant was implemented by Broward County in conjunction with Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) and the University of North Florida (UNF). The Marine Industry Association of South Florida is a local partner working with OESBD on this project. The purpose of the grant is to support the growth of the Marine Industry in Broward County and South Florida, serving companies from Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The grant specifically targets small and medium sized marine businesses to assist them in mastering the exporting process to increase and enhance sales potential and to create jobs within Broward County and the South Florida Region.
OESBD assists the participating companies by preparing them to grow their operations in foreign markets while helping to improve global business success rates. OESBD provided training in export, marketing, finance, compliance and logistics tailored to the County’s marine sector. During the first six months of services under the Marine Industry Pilot grant, 53 marine company participants have benefited from the training -- 40 of which are Broward County companies.
Ongoing webinars are still being held, so get on board. Contact Samantha Zerbe at 954-357-6155 (voice) or 954-357-5664 (TTY) for more information.
The Broward County Targeted Industries Study was delivered in March 2010. The Study has been put through a series of reviews for comments by business, government and civic leaders in Broward County and to County Commissioners.
The purpose of this study is to identify Broward County’s top targeted industries for business attraction and recruitment efforts, and to help focus growth strategies for key emerging industries. The report envisions the creation of 73,000 new jobs by year 2016, at least 55,000 new skilled positions that will be above the mean County Wage levels.
The Targeted Industries Study indentifies opportunities in the “New Economy” such as Alternative Energy and Renewable Resource Clusters, or “Green Industries”. The other industries listed as primary business growth targets are: Advanced Materials & Hi-Tech Manufacturing, Aviation / Aerospace, Global Business Services, Global Media and Production, Headquarters & Management Operations, Human Resources & Higher Education, International Trade & Logistics, Life Sciences, and Marine.
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners was allocated $61,108,000 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to stimulate economic activity and support qualified economic development projects in the County’s approved “recovery zones”.
Applications for ten projects have been submitted totaling requests for $60,864,455. These proposed projects could potentially stimulate $261,374,000 in capital investment while creating 1,874 new employment opportunities throughout Broward County. The Broward County Bond Review Committee will met to review and make recommendations to the Broward County Selection Committee on which projects meets the criteria, diversity, employment, and betterment of the County.
The Broward Entertainment Development District (BEDD) Plan outlines steps and procedures for creating a centralized area where the arts and entertainment industry and industry-related support businesses can cluster.
The objective of the BEDD Plan is to capture and increase media production by creating a centrally located development district where arts and entertainment businesses can grow within an area that offers a number of incentive programs and a location in which industry professionals can carry out their needs without ever having to leave the district. The development of this exciting project is still in draft form.
For more information on the Targeted Industries Study, the Recovery Zone Facility Bond Program and the BEDD Plan, contact Bill Kyriakakis, economic development manager, at 954-357-6155 (voice) or 954-357-5664 (TTY).
The Office of Economic and Small Business Development is pleased to announce that the certification application for the County Business Enterprise (CBE) program is now available to complete and submit online for your convenience. Click here to learn more about the programs for small businesses and to access the application. Click on the “Get Certified” link to start the process.
The Compliance Section is responsible for ensuring that federal and local regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to small business concerns are adhered to by Broward County agencies and contractors doing business with Broward County. This section proactively monitors County contracts with small business participation goals to ensure. The section also makes sure that federal and local funds allocated to stimulate the local economy stay within Broward County by ensuring project goal attainment.
The compliance section reviews solicitations prior to advertising, evaluates contractor solicitations, reviews amendments/modifications, and performs project close-out for County agencies on projects with small business goals. Other issues we address for external customers range from complaint resolution and prompt payment to substitution of subcontractors and prime/subcontractor mediation. If you are interested in learning more about our compliance functions, please contact Freddy Castillo,small business development manager, at 954-357-6400.
On April 9, 2010 at the Port Everglades Association 2nd Annual Economic Engine Performance Report, Norman Taylor, director of the Office of Economic and Small Business Development, presented a briefing on County-wide economic development to the executive board. Taylor expressed the importance of the collaboration with the economic engines of Broward County - Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB) and Port Everglades - and how they each work to create jobs and capital investment for Broward County. A luncheon followed moderated by Mayor Ken Keechl with panelists Nicki Grossman, president and CEO of the GFLCVB, Phil Allen, director of Port Everglades, and Kent George, director of FLL, to further discuss the County’s Economic Engine Performance Report.
OESBD is committed to Performance Excellence
 The Office of Economic and Small Business Development is committed to providing “our best and nothing less” to our internal and external customers. Sterling is Broward County’s official business model for performance excellence, endorsed and approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The Sterling criteria provide a framework and an assessment tool for understanding organizational strengths and opportunities for improvement.
With great enthusiasm, the team signed a large team pledge to showcase their dedication to performance excellence. The pledge was signed after the team was presented with an introduction to the Sterling model. Keep an eye out for this logo:
|
