North Miami-Dade News

Yesterday, Small Business Committee Member Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) announced the launch of the Business Growth and Acceleration Program (BizGap) in partnership with Florida International University (FIU). This program aims to create jobs and support the growth of small businesses in District 27, following the securing of $650,000 in funding.

The funding was made possible through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Community Project funding, which was part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The funds were allocated to the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at FIU Business. Through the BizGap program, the FSBDC will provide hyperlocal consulting and training to over 1,000 businesses in the district during 2024.

Congresswoman Salazar, a proud member of the Small Business Committee, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurs and small businesses in Miami. She stated, "Florida's District 27 is home to more than 60,000 businesses, half of which are small businesses. I am proud to launch this program, which will provide coaching, training, and connectivity to small business resources so that more people can feel confident when starting and expanding their business in Miami."

The BizGap program will offer various resources and services to small business owners. These include door-to-door canvassing to reach business owners in key commercial corridors, surveying local business owners to understand their challenges and resource needs, and providing one-on-one business consulting in startup and business growth areas. Additionally, the program will offer training, workshops, and webinars on topics such as marketing, access to capital, business strategy, and startup assistance. It will also facilitate connections to small business loans/grants, community resources, and industry professionals.

Brian Van Hook, Regional Director of the FSBDC at FIU, expressed gratitude for Congresswoman Salazar's support in securing the funding for the BizGap program. He said, "BizGap is focused on meeting small business owners where they are in the community and providing them with the guidance, resources, and partnerships needed to start and grow their businesses. Our team is excited to get to work in FL-27 and also to partner with communities in the district as we ramp up BizGap in 2024."

This is not the first time Congresswoman Salazar has secured funding for Florida's 27th District. In recent years, she has secured over $40 million in funding. Her advocacy efforts have resulted in more than $17 million being allocated to improve healthcare and climate resiliency in Miami. Additionally, she has secured nearly $24 million to protect and enhance Miami's water infrastructure, expand community health centers, and support law enforcement and improve public safety.

With the launch of the BizGap program, Congressman Salazar continues to demonstrate her commitment to supporting small businesses and fostering economic growth in District 27. The program's focus on providing tailored assistance and resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy and create opportunities for job creation and business expansion.

Click this link to access more information: https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/salazar-launches-bizgap-small-business-development-program-after-securing