The Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at FIU Business has been recognized as the 2022 Florida SBDC Network Center of the Year.
In 2021 FSBDC assisted 2,050 clients, providing over 20,660 consultation hours. FSBDC at FIU consultants also led the state network in access to capital and business launches.
The impact of last year’s work has been widespread:
- 114 businesses were started
- $117 million in secured capital
- $33.3 million in government contracts secured
- $154.1 million in revenue growth
- 429 open jobs
- Maintained 5144 jobs
“It means a lot for our team to receive statewide recognition from the Florida SBDC Network for our community efforts,” said Brian Van Hook, regional director, Florida SBDC at FIU. “Our mission-driven team of consultants and support staff has increased assistance to businesses in Miami-Dade and Monroe County in recent years. I am incredibly proud to see the hard work of the center recognized in such a big way.”
The award recognizes the regional team for its contribution to the strategic goals, mission and vision of the network; exceeding service and performance expectations; and demonstrating a strong commitment to small businesses through the network’s values and beliefs.
“They exceeded their performance goals, secured a highly competitive grant and built meaningful partnerships to expand their footprint in underserved communities and throughout the Miami-Dade region as a whole,” said Greg Britton, state director of the Florida Network. SBDC.
FSBDC began offering services in Miami-Dade County in 2014 and expanded to Monroe County in October 2018. The center offers free consultation and guidance on topics including financial management, business strategy, access to capital and market analysis. The center has 30 business specialists in Miami-Dade and the Keys.
“The FSBDC is Florida’s leader in working with small entrepreneurial firms,” said William Hardin, dean of FIU Business. “Brian and his team provide high-quality consulting and services that allow Miami-Dade to remain competitive in attracting, growing and retaining businesses.”
The State Office of the Florida SBDC Network also noted that the FSBDC secured the $2.5 million SBA Community Navigator grant for Miami-Dade County. The center, which serves as a hub in partnership with six other community organizations, received the only Community Navigator grant in Florida and was one of 51 awarded nationwide.
