May 2022

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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MB BIZ BUSINESS MINUTE

City of Miami Beach Unveils Miami Beach Business Academy

The City of Miami Beach Economic Development Department was thrilled to kick off International Economic Development Week (May 9-13, 2022) with the unveiling of the Miami Beach Business Academy, a program designed to provide business assistance to new, aspiring, and seasoned entrepreneurs. Learn more here.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS

BUSINESS & WORKFORCE TRAINING

Miami Beach Business Academy Takes Flight

The City of Miami Beach Economic Development Department has taken the wraps off the new Miami Beach Business Academy, a technical assistance program that will provide in-person and virtual technical assistance training as well as one-on-one consulting free of charge to the City's small business community in accordance with CDBG-CV guidelines and requirements over the next eight months through December 2022.


Read more here.

Miami Beach Business Academy

Upcoming Seminars


Access to Capital 

June 7 & June 21

Is your business in need of financing? Do you know if you’re financially ready to request a loan? Please join the City of Miami Beach Economic Development Department and Prospera for our technical assistance seminar in which we will go over what banks look for when qualifying potential loans and join us to learn what steps you should be taking in order to prepare yourself and your business for accessing capital.


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


Register for the English seminar on June 21, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. here.

RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

U.S. Small Business Administration Offers Two Free Training Courses to Help Navigate Government Contracts

Each year, the United States government awards billions of dollars in federal contracts to businesses in order to meet the needs of government agencies. There are also state and local government contracts available for businesses looking to get started in contracting. If you are considering joining the world of government contracting, there’s a lot of information to familiarize yourself with. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but the goal of these online seminars is to simplify the government contracting process.


On May 26, learn from government contracting expert Felicia Streeter about how she won her first $7 million contract during a lunch presentation where she will discuss the Do’s and Don’ts of Government Contracting: How I Won My First $7 Million Contract.


Does your small business need access to more capital? If so, on May 27  attend What is SSBCI? Learn About the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Program to discuss the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 with government contracting expert Tommy Marks.


Click here to register.

idea center.jpg

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

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo

June 7 - 8, 2022

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo America (CSI) is the world's only exhibition and conference exclusively dedicated to connecting the buyers and suppliers of the cruise design industry. CSI will bring together leading cruise lines and shipyards to meet with exhibiting designers, architects, outfitters, and interiors suppliers from across cruise design. 


To purchase tickets visit here.

2022 International Floriculture Expo (IFE)

June 7 - 9, 2022

Floriexpo unites floral category vendors with mass market floral buyers from supermarkets, chain stores, wholesale florist distributors, online retailers and more. Spanning fresh cut flowers and greens to potted plants, containers, plush, technology, balloons, care and handling, design, and everything in between.


For more information and to register click here.

Upcoming Events


Hyundai Air & Sea Show Resident Discount

May 28 - 29, 2022

“The Greatest Show Above the Earth” showcases the men, women, technology and equipment from all five branches of the United States military as well as our police, firefighters and their agencies. This two-day spectacular event on Memorial Day Weekend features powerboat racing exhibitions, extreme water sports and a military display village along the beautiful shores of Miami Beach.


Miami Beach residents are eligible for a 10% discount on tickets. Just enter the promo code "MIAMIBEACH" at checkout.



Click here to purchase tickets.

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.

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.

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.

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