Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Small Business Briefs March 2007

? Applications for the 2007 Florida Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award are due March 30. To be eligible, nominees must own or manage a private or public company and be primarily responsible for the company's recent performance. The company must be at least 2 years old. To apply online, go to ey.com and search for Florida Entrepreneur of the Year, or call Lisa Pagano at 813/225-4761.

? The Florida Small Business Development Center Network based at the University of West Florida recently signed a formal memorandum of understanding with small-business counselors and directors at Mexico's Merida Technological Institute. The agreement will encourage faculty and student exchanges, training, counseling and resource sharing.

? According to a poll by the Florida chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, 35% of business owners are considering reducing staff or benefits because of soaring property taxes, 39% may postpone expansion, 15% are considering moving out of state and 14% might close their business in the near future.