Oakland Park's evolution has made it an increasingly favorable place to live, work and open a business! Entrepreneur Peter Jackson recently launched the Oakland Park Business Association (OPBA) to unite local business owners and advance their professional interests. The OPBA offers access to business resources, networking and educational events, and collaborative marketing opportunities to help local companies succeed. On March 14th, the OPBA will host the first Oakland Park Health, Wealth, & Small Business Expo to give businesses an opportunity to showcase their services to area residents. Read more about Peter Jackson, the OPBA, and the upcoming expo below.

Peter Jackson, a trained journalist, has an extensive background in publishing. His three decades of experience began at age 25, when he went from owning a community publishing company to being the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for one of the country’s largest private media companies. In 2009 he retired from the world of media and made a home for himself in Fort Lauderdale.  No stranger to hard work, he built three fitness-related businesses in less than seven years during retirement. He sold those businesses in 2015 to focus on coaching small business owners and media groups. The Oakland Park Business Association is Jackson’s latest project.

Why did you establish the Oakland Park Business Association?

Small businesses are the bedrock of every community. Providing support to these businesses in the form of business connections, networking, and collaborative advertising and marketing opportunities means our business community will flourish, and the entire community will become stronger. The Oakland Park Business Association will serve as a sort of loudspeaker for its members, using our print, digital and social media network to amplify and promote our members to a larger and wider audience than any individual business can do on its own.

What is the Health, Wealth & Small Business Expo?

This Expo provides an easy, effective, and low-cost opportunity for small businesses to showcase their goods and services to the public. It will also give healthcare providers and those in the financial and retirement business sectors an opportunity to engage face-to-face with the community. The Expo will occur on March 14th, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Main Street/NE 12th Avenue in downtown Oakland Park. It is free to attend with online advance registration.

Why should businesses join the Oakland Park Business Association?

By joining us, business owners will be part of a group that is actively working to advance the economic, commercial and civic interests of our community by promoting Oakland Park as a great place to live, work, play, and do business. We help our members grow through a variety of different activities designed specifically for entrepreneurs. The Health, Wealth and Business Expo is just one of the many events we have organized for our members. At just $125 for an annual membership, business owners receive a ton of perks, savings, and other opportunities to grow their business.

The Oakland Park Business Association is a private entity that is not owned or operated by the City of Oakland Park.

INNOVATE | COLLABORATE | CELEBRATE

Broward & Beyond Business Conference

Friday, June 2, 2023

The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) recently announced its annual countywide event - the Broward & Beyond Business Conference, scheduled for Friday, June 2, 2023, at the Signature Grand. This year's theme is "INNOVATE | COLLABORATE | CELEBRATE." The conference will highlight Broward County’s dynamic economy and offer interactive resources, networking, and business opportunities to business owners and entrepreneurs. This conference is FREE to attend.

• Microloans for your business - Learn about the options available for your business at SBA.gov

• 7 Options to Access Money For Your Small Business - Learn about the top 7 funding sources and what you will need to consider for each.



• SBA Funding Options and Resources for Small Businesses - The SBA helps small businesses get funding by setting guidelines for loans and reducing lender risk. These SBA-backed loans make it easier for small businesses to get the funding they need.

Let's welcome these new businesses to Oakland Park! 

1. Dentists of Oakland Park
2. Fabrication Solutions LLC
3. Wine Lovers Distribution
4. Celupal Worldwide Industies Inc.
5. Loyalty Tax Services Group Inc.
6. Isme Bail Bonds LLC
7. Felix Fidelibus Accounting and Tax Services
8. AL Damage Corp
9. Purrr Inc.
10. Superior Next Generation Two
11. Inspire the Change FL, Inc.
12. Smiling Heart Home Health Services LLC
13. Maggies Favorite
14. F & B Warehouse Inc.
15. Edexa Design Inc.
16. Andress Custom Interiors Inc.

Rendering of the Mai Kai after planned renovations.

Oakland Park Breaks Ground on Fire Station 9

The City of Oakland Park held a groundbreaking ceremony in January for a new Fire Rescue Station 9. The City Commission, residents, and staff attended the ceremony to kick off construction at the Station's new location on Park Lane/NE 38th Street and NE 6th Avenue. This brand-new facility will replace the existing Station 9, completed in 1967 on Park Lane/NE 38th Street and NE 3rd Avenue. The project represents a municipal investment of more than $16.6 million into public safety, fire, and emergency medical services. The City has secured $2.5 million in grant funding for the new two-story, three-bay station that will serve as a centralized hub for Fire Rescue Operations in Oakland Park. Station 9 is the third new bond project to begin construction as part of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan aimed at Building Oakland Park’s 2nd Century. The existing Station 9 will remain operational during construction.