North Miami-Dade News

MIAMI, FL - Yesterday, Representative María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), a member of the Small Business Committee, launched the Business Acceleration and Growth Program (BizGap) with Florida International University (FIU), after securing $650,000 to create jobs and grow small businesses in District 27.

Congresswoman Salazar obtained funding for the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Community Project for the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at FIU Business, as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The BizGap program will provide hyperlocal consulting and training to a thousand or more businesses in the District during 2024.

"As a proud member of the Small Business Committee, I know that entrepreneurs and family-owned shops are the backbone of Miami," said Congresswoman Salazar. "District 27 of Florida is home to over 60,000 businesses, half of which are small businesses. I am proud to launch this program, which will provide guidance, training, and connectivity to resources for small businesses, so that more people can feel confident in starting and expanding their businesses in Miami."

The BizGap program will specifically provide:

- Door-to-door prospecting to reach business owners in key commercial corridors.

- Surveying local business owners about business challenges and resources needed for growth.

- One-on-one business consulting in areas of startups and business growth.

- Trainings, workshops, and webinars on topics such as marketing, access to capital, business strategy, and startup assistance.

- Connections to loans/grants for small businesses, community resources, and industry professionals.

"Florida SBDC at FIU appreciates the support of Congresswoman Salazar in securing this funding to expand the successful BizGap program to FL-27," said Brian Van Hook, Regional Director, FSBDC at FIU. "BizGap focuses on meeting with 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 start working in FL-27 and partnering with District communities as we expand BizGap in 2024."

Congresswoman Salazar has obtained over $40 million in funding for District 27 of Florida in recent years. Her direct advocacy in Congress resulted in over $17 million in funds to improve healthcare and climate resilience in Miami. The congresswoman also secured nearly $24 million in funds to protect and enhance Miami's water infrastructure, expand community health centers, support law enforcement, and improve public safety.

To find out more, go to this link: https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresista-salazar-lanza-el-programa-de-desarrollo-de-pequenos-negocios