Florida Small Business Development Center (Fsbdc) At Florida International University

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Ms. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, Florida International University (FIU) is one of the top universities in the Nation, and the presence of the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at FIU has had a great impact on the South Florida economy. Established under FJU's College of Business in 2014, the Center is a team of highly experienced business consultants providing assistance and training to entrepreneurs and business owners in Miami-Dade County to help them start, grow, and succeed.

It is vital that individuals starting a business have access to resources that will help ensure their long-term success. The FSBDC at FIU works one-on-one with Miami-Dade County small businesses providing startup assistance, access to capital, marketing. financial management, international trade, human resources, and business strategy advising.

Since its inception in 2014, the FSBDC at FIU has delivered more than 112,900 hours of consulting to 6,964 Miami-Dade County small businesses, resulting in business owners securing over $425 million in capital, securing $287.5 million in government contracts, increasing sales by $379.2 million, impacting 28,829 jobs, and launching 415 new businesses. In my district alone, the Florida SBDC at FIU provided 3,859 consulting hours to 490 local small businesses in 2022. Additionally, last year the center assisted entrepreneurs in Florida's 27th Congressional district to launch 25 new businesses; secure $23.5 million in capital; and obtain $18.9 million in government contracts.

On April 10, 2023 the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the Center as the winner of the 2023 Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award, which recognizes the country's top small business center. Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to the success of the Center. They are incredibly deserving of this award.

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