The City of Miami Beach Economic Development Department is pleased to provide you with this monthly business newsletter that includes the latest information and resources available for our business community.



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City of Miami Beach Mourns Beloved Commissioner Mark Samuelian

Click here to view press release.

MB BIZ BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Lincoln Road Pioneer Bids Farewell

Every Lincoln Road business owner knows Timothy Schmand as the man in a stylish fedora who is always willing to assist. Many, however, do not know the many other hats that Tim has worn throughout his career. Learn more here.

BUSINESS & WORKFORCE TRAINING

Miami Beach Business Academy

Upcoming Seminars

Digital Marketing on Social Media

July 14 & July 19

Have you been trying to promote your business on social media but feel like you’re getting nowhere? Learn successful digital marketing strategies to optimize the use of your social media account and generate positive results for your small business.

Register for the Spanish seminar on July 14, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. here.

Register for the English seminar on July 19, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. here.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AVAILABLE

Looking for office space? Consider this Mid Beach location at 960 41st St or this corner space in the heart of South Beach at 1759 Bay Rd. If North Beach is on your list consider this location at 7305 Collins Ave.

To view other available properties, click here.

RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

How to Apply for a Business Tax Receipt and a Certificate of Use

The choices you make affect your business operations, taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. View what you need to operate a business in Miami Beach:

Certificate of Use (CU)- A Certificate of Use certifies that your business can operate in a specific zoning district and verifies that the structure was built for the proposed type of business, i.e., a restaurant. Most businesses are required to obtain a Certificate of Use before applying for a Business Tax Receipt (BTR). The Certificate of Use (CU) changes only when the use is changed to the place. To receive certification, call 305.673.7550 and/or use the links below and/or email mbhelp@miamibeachfl.gov

   To apply for a CU please follow these instructions:

·    Click here (reviews may result in a request for additional information/documentation).

·    Request a Fire Inspection via Citizen Self Service Portal (CSS) here.

·    Once the CU application passes the Fire Inspection, the CU will be automatically issued, and you will be able to apply for your Business Tax Receipt (BTR).

If you would like to apply in person, but need an application, please click here.

Business Tax Receipt (BTR)- Whether you are starting a business from home, operating as a sole proprietor, or taking over an existing business, most businesses that sell products or provide services need a BTR. To obtain a BTR, call 305.673.7420 and/or use the links below and/or email mbhelp@miamibeachfl.gov

To apply for your BTR please follow these instructions:

·        Go to the Citizen Self Service Portal (CSS) here

·        The following is required for your application to be reviewed:

·        Valid Certificate of Use (CU)

·        Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources (DERM)*

·        Lease/Recorded Warranty Deed

·        Articles of Incorporation

·        Federal Identification Number (FEIN)

·        Fictitious Name (if applicable)

·        Additional documentation may be required based on business type.

*DERM is required for all businesses with the exception of professionals, home based businesses, short-term rentals, and mobile car washes.

For more information on how to apply to get a DERM inspection for your Certificate of Use, click here.

If the above requirements are met, upon verification, your BTR will be issued on-the-spot.

If you would like to apply in person, but need an application, see link here.

Miami Bayside Foundation: Providing Loans to Minority Owned and Black-Owned Businesses

The primary mission of MBF is to provide access to funds for minority entrepreneurs. Since 2011, MBF has awarded 164 loans totaling more than $9 million to Miami minority-owned businesses, helping to create more than 450 jobs. MBF continues its commitment to providing access to funds for minority entrepreneurs.

To view available loans click here.

The Idea Center at Miami Dade College Launches Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program

The Idea Center at Miami Dade College (MDC) has launched a new Entrepreneur-in-Residence program that will bring experienced entrepreneurs to serve as mentors and resources for students. The program’s first resident is Doug Levine, founder/CEO of Crunch Fitness and Big Move Properties, co-founder and chairman of Fridababy, as well as CEO of Matuse. 

Click here to learn more.

Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce Small Business Meet-up

With the rapid pace of things changing for small businesses, the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce invites you to meet other business owners, talk strategy, and get the latest on COVID-19 recovery. Events are held every Tuesday and Friday at 4 p.m. via Zoom.

Click here to register.

Hurricane Preparedness for Small Businesses

A BERT program can support and enhance existing capabilities. CERT volunteers can participate in efforts to increase the preparedness and resilience of the workplace and community. A BERT program equips employees with skills that enable them to perform basic disaster response operations in an emergency. Having trained volunteers on staff helps protect the health, safety, and lives of people at your workplace. BERT volunteers are trained using the CERT Basic Training curriculum.

Ready.gov provides excellent resources for developing preparedness plans. You can find these resources listed under “Ready Business."

Thank you for helping to make Miami Beach a more resilient city.

LOCAL EVENTS

City of Miami Beach

Weekly Meetings

Stay up to date on all of our upcoming meetings. From Commission meetings to committee meetings, please click here for a full list with links to participate.

Miami Beach Convention Center

Florida Supercon

July 8 - 10, 2022

Supercon brings your favorite celebrities, unique exhibitors, incredible comic creators, anime voice actors, gaming, wrestling, and more under one roof in sunny South Beach for an incredible weekend celebrating the very best pop culture has to offer. Epic memories and awesome friendships await you at Florida Supercon, the show created for YOU

To purchase tickets visit here.

SwimShow

July 16 - 18, 2022

With four decades of expertise, SwimShow is recognized as the leading industry platform in swimwear worldwide. As the industry’s most celebrated and established exhibition, SwimShow is the premier global tradeshow where the very best gather to network, exhibit and purchase next year’s trends.

Held every July, SwimShow attracts more than 7,500 buyers, manufacturers, designers, corporate personnel, press, bloggers, influencers, fashion consultants, stylists, VIP’s and other fashion industry leaders from over 60 countries across the globe to showcase brands and create business opportunities.

For more information and to register click here.

The Florida International Medical Expo - FIME 2022

July 27 - 29, 2022

The premiere healthcare exhibition destination for all things medical. 700+ Exhibitors with everything from rubber gloves to robotics. Visit the Innovation and Technology Hub, and the Healthcare Transformation Zone with nonstop events, such as the Innov8 start-up competition, product showcases and keynotes by international industry experts and healthcare influencers. Plus, complimentary educational opportunities, talks and conferences. Network with investors, manufacturers, distributors, VIP’s, and trade representatives from over 118 countries. Stop by the City of Miami Beach's Booth #V65 to meet city representatives. 

Register FREE to attend as a visitor to both FIME online and FIME Miami Beach in-person here.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Miami Beach Emergency Small Business Expense Reimbursement Grant — Funding Still Available

Small businesses in Miami Beach are encouraged to apply for a $20,000 emergency grant to cover rent, mortgage, utilities, payroll and operating expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grants are awarded on a first-come, first-qualified basis. Interested businesses may apply here.

Miami Beach Vacant Storefront Cover Program

The City of Miami Beach relaunched the Vacant Storefront Cover Program in a continued effort to improve the appearance of vacant, street-level commercial buildings and support the lease-up of retail spaces throughout the city.

First unveiled in 2019, this initiative supports property owners, brokers, realtors and property managers by wrapping vacant storefront windows free of charge with one of five artistic designs preapproved by the city.

Click here to learn more about the program and how to get started. Interested brokers, realtors, property owners and managers should apply here and email the completed application to Mbbiz@miamibeachfl.gov.

Miami Beach Expedited Plan Review and Permitting Incentive Program

The City of Miami Beach is committed to diversifying the local economy by attracting and retaining companies in targeted industries like, financial services and technology.

As part of this effort, the city is also offering an Expedited Plan Review and Permitting Program to incentivize targeted relocations, including expansions and associated development for companies.

Click here to review full program guidelines.

Miami Beach Job Creation Incentive Program (JCIP)

The City of Miami Beach is offering the Job Creation Incentive Program (JCIP), a performance-based incentive adopted by the City Commission. The program aims to strategically attract new financial service companies and technology firms while helping existing businesses expand in Miami Beach to increase the number of high-wage jobs.

Click here for more info and application details.

Pop-Up Venue Permit

Pop-up venues are temporary retail spaces that can be used to promote and sell products of all types, ranging from food and beverages, clothing or unique gifts. The concept has the potential for low overhead, low risk and is a great way to introduce yourself to the market, generate buzz, increase sales and extend the reach and exposure of your business. To apply for a City of Miami Beach Pop-Up Venue permit click here.

Miami Beach Film & Production Incentive Program

Making movies and other film projects in Miami Beach has never been easier! A new incentive program brings new guidelines, and fewer restrictions.

To review program guidelines and apply, click here.

Plastic Free Miami Beach

PlasticFreeMB showcases businesses that have taken action to reduce plastics from their establishment and to help organizations learn and implement best practices in the area of environmental stewardship.

It takes more than 100 years for plastic to disintegrate. Learn why and how we're combating single-use plastic here. Interested businesses can register here.

PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Become A Registered City of Miami Beach Vendor

The city has finalized the transition to a new financial software system. One of the many new features now available is our online Vendor Self-Service webpage, allowing city vendors to easily update contacts, attachments (W-9) and commodity information. The Vendor Self-Service (VSS) webpage will also provide you with purchase orders and payment information.

Click here to register

Looking for Bid Opportunities?

If you would like to be notified of available competitive solicitations released by the City of Miami Beach, you must register your company through Periscope S2G, Supplier-to-Government by clicking here.

Registration is easy and will take only a few minutes. Refer to the guide for instructions on how to register and submit an electronic bid here.

COVID-19 TESTING & VACCINATIONS

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Site Near City Hall

Nomi Health continues to operate the testing and vaccination site located on the first floor of the Pennsylvania Garage (G9) at 17 Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The site operates seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with no appointment necessary. Vaccines are administered until 5 p.m., while testing continues until 6 p.m.

The site is also administering the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 and offering single booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to those eligible to receive them. Nomi Health has opened an additional walk-up testing site at 8400 Collins Ave. This location also operates seven days a week from 8 a.m.to 6 p.m. with no appointment necessary. It offers both rapid and PCR tests.

Click here for more information.

CONTACT US

Visit MBBIZ.com or contact the Economic Development team here for more information on resources, finding the perfect location(s) for your business expansion or sharing  ideas for future topics. 

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Missed a prior edition? Check out previous newsletters and business spotlight stories here.