TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Joan K. Goodrich, Economic Development Director
THROUGH: Chief Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
CC: Caryn Gardner-Young, Assistant City Manager
DATE: May 2, 2017
Title
2017 WE ♥ SMALL BIZ MONTH AND PARTNERSHIPS PRESENTATION AND PROCLAMATION
Body
Background:
This is an update to the City of Delray Beach ("City") City Commission about this year’s “We ♥ Small Biz” month-long celebration in May - planned by more than 12 local economic development partners - and designed to highlight the contributions of our small businesses on our economy and community.
Crowned as “Most Fun Small Town in America” in 2012 by Rand McNally, the City of Delray Beach has grown into a vibrant go-to spot in South Florida. Even with its development, the city has continued to maintain its small town ambiance with the extensive variety of small businesses. In fact, more than 93% of our businesses are small businesses defined as employing less than 30 workers.
This month, the Delray Beach economic development team, supported by the City and the Delray Beach CRA presents, “We ♥ Small Biz Month,” a power-packed, month-long series of seminars and special events designed to show the love for local small businesses. Some of the events include: SCORE Conference, InnovateHER SBA Challenge, Chamber Foundations Entrepreneur Sessions and Business Expo, SBDC Seminars, Pineapple Grove Arts District Business Walk and TED Center & Florida Women Business Center “Shining Stars” Gala.
The “We ♥ Small Biz Month” campaign is a component of Delray Beach’s business retention and expansion strategy which was launched in 2015.
Staff will provide a presentation on the program and provide an update on the activities.