Florida SBDC Network to Celebrate National Small Business Week

Florida SBDC Network Headquarters (Pensacola, Fla.) - The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state's principal provider of business assistance, will celebrate National Small Business Week May 1-5, 2017. To honor and support the continued success and growth of Florida's entrepreneurs and small business owners, Florida SBDCs will host a number of workshops, seminars, and special events throughout the week.

For over 50 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the important contributions of the nation's entrepreneurs and small business owners.

The Florida SBDC Network will join the national celebration to showcase the role Florida's more than 2.4 million small businesses play in the state's economy.

"Florida's small businesses are the engine of economic prosperity," said Michael W. Myhre, CEO and Network State Director of the Florida SBDC. "Florida's small businesses create jobs, transform communities, and stimulate economic growth. We couldn't be more proud to celebrate and honor our state's small businesses for their hard work and success."

Join the Celebration

Small businesses are invited to attend one of the network's in-person events next week. To view a listing of events, please click here.

Small businesses unable to attend one of the network's events during National Small Business Week are encouraged to view the Florida SBDC's on-demand training videos. The videos, which range in topics from starting a business and accessing capital to exploring international trade, feature Florida SBDC consultants and are available at no-cost. To view the videos, please click here.

Next week, Florida SBDCs will also host special events to honor local, state, and district SBA award recipients.

Established in 1976, the Florida SBDC Network has more than 40 offices from Pensacola to Key West. The network provides consulting, training, and research services to help entrepreneurs and small businesses grow and succeed. Since 2011, Florida SBDCs have provided 401,475 hours of consulting to 45,502 client businesses, resulting in 217,849 jobs created, retained and saved; $29.3 billion in sales growth; $2.1 billion in government contract awards; $947.4 million in capital investments; and 3,857 new businesses started.

To follow the National Small Business Week conversation online, please use hashtag #SmallBusinessWeek. To learn more about National Small Business Week, please visit www.sba.gov/nsbw.

About the Florida SBDC Network:

For over forty years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state's principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide emerging and established business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for the state. Since 2011, Florida SBDCs have provided 401,475 hours of consulting to 45,502 client businesses, resulting in 217,849 jobs created, retained and saved; $29.3 billion in sales growth; $2.1 billion in government contract awards; $947.4 million in capital investments; and 3,857 new businesses started. A statewide network of over 40 centers, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network's designated lead host institution. The Florida SBDC Network is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Tags: Florida Small Business