This week (April 28 - May 4, 2024) is National Small Business Week in Florida! Small Business Week in Florida recognizes the vital contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners in our state. In 2024 alone, 163,992 new businesses have formed in Florida, more than any other state in the nation. Of Florida’s 529,072 private sector businesses, 99.7 percent employ less than 500 employees, which represents 56.9 percent of the state’s total private sector employment.
Our friends at The Florida Chamber have sent over some current and past funds available for Florida’s small businesses, which include:
- State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) – In just one year, Florida provided more than $149 million in loans and venture capital investments for small business to 105 Florida small businesses stimulating more than $554 million in private capital that has created or retained nearly 3,830 jobs for Floridians.
- Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program – In October 2022, Governor DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in response to the impact of Hurricane Ian. FloridaCommerce assisted 907 businesses by loaning more than $37.5 million to help businesses expedite their recovery efforts following Hurricane Ian.
- Black Business Loan Program (BBLP) – BBLP provides alternative lending opportunities and technical assistance to black business enterprises that cannot obtain capital through conventional lending institutions but could otherwise compete successfully in the private sector.
- The Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund – The Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund , which has $50 million available to assist businesses statewide with economic development and resiliency, focuses on creating and enhancing the diversification and resiliency of Florida’s economy. Its purpose is to address the current gap in available, affordable capital for businesses by providing longer term loans with higher funding levels at market interest rates.
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