Florida State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) 2.0 is sponsored by FloridaCommerce. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

$167 Million for Small Businesses: Florida’s Latest Investment $167 Million for Small Businesses: Florida’s Latest Investment Florida’s small business sector is receiving another major boost with the announcement of an additional $167 million in funding through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) 2. 0.

This new wave of funding comes on the heels of over $202 million in loans and venture investments distributed to small businesses statewide since January 2023. With the new round of funding, Florida continues to build on its commitment to foster growth and create jobs, reinforcing the state’s reputation as a leader in supporting entrepreneurs.

Florida has already helped fund 149 businesses, driving $769 million in private investments that have contributed to the creation or retention of nearly 5,000 jobs. As part of Governor DeSantis' strategy to make Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation, these funds are aimed at leveling the playing field for small businesses that might otherwise face challenges accessing capital. The SSBCI 2.

0 program, managed by FloridaCommerce in partnership with the Florida Opportunity Fund, is designed to increase access to critical funding for Florida-based small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. By providing support to businesses that might otherwise struggle to secure traditional financing, SSBCI helps them expand, hire more employees, or invest in infrastructure improvements.

The funds can be used for a variety of business needs, including: Start-up costs and working capital The purchase, construction, renovation, or tenant improvements of an eligible place of business How Florida’s SSBCI Program Helps Small Businesses Under the guidance of FloridaCommerce, this program makes it easier for small businesses to access the resources they need for growth.

With more than $488 million in SSBCI funds allocated to Florida through the U.S. Treasury, small businesses statewide are finding more opportunities to innovate, expand, and hire. ( Funding is available from the U.S. Treasury in three tranches; the first tranche of funding – $142 million – was received in December 2022 and FloridaCommerce just received the second tranche of $167 million.)

Through the Florida Opportunity Fund, every $1 of SSBCI funding helps attract an impressive $7 in private investments, amplifying the impact of these resources. This collaboration between public and private sectors strengthens the state’s economy and ensures that businesses can thrive long into the future.

Eligibility and Application Process Businesses interested in accessing funds through the SSBCI program must meet a few requirements, including being based in Florida and having fewer than 500 employees for most programs ( the Capital Access Program, the Loan Guarantee Program, and the Loan Participation Program) . Businesses in the Collateral Support Program may have up to 750 employees.

If you are interested in participating in the program, contact one of FlroidaCommerce's participating lenders. A Continued Commitment to Small Business Growth Florida has long been a hub for small businesses, and the SSBCI 2. 0 initiative is just one way the state is continuing to strengthen this critical part of the economy.

Since 2019, more than 3. 3 million businesses have been formed in Florida more than any other state in the nation, and over 99% of them are small businesses. These businesses are essential to Florida’s economy, providing jobs, driving innovation, and supporting local communities.

Visit www . FloridaJobs . org /SSBCI for full details on eligibility and application instructions.

Healthcare in South Florida is changing faster than almost anywhere in the country. The stakes are higher, the challenges are bigger, and the people carrying that weight deserve more than a footnote. That's exactly why Health Care Heroes® exists, and why its 27th year felt more necessary than ever.

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The January 22nd Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Developers Forum showcased projects that aren't just reshaping our skyline, they're solving real community challenges and creating opportunities that will impact South Florida for generations.

This year's Developers Forum featured two sessions exploring the innovative approaches driving our region's growth: public-private partnerships tackling critical infrastructure and affordable housing needs, and master-planned communities redefining what mixed-use development can achieve.

Public-Private Partnerships: Turning Challenges Into Community Assets The first session, moderated by Heather Jonczak of Carlton Fields, brought together David Burstyn of Redwood Dev Co and Joshua Coulter of Plenary Americas to discuss how strategic partnerships between cities and private developers are accomplishing what neither could achieve alone.

In North Miami, the Claude Pepper Park Global District is transforming a former landfill into one of the city's most significant investments in affordable housing and public space. The scope is impressive.

Approximately 2,000+ affordable residential units across eight buildings, over 120,000 square feet of commercial space, a comprehensively renovated park and community center, a Miami Jewish Health PACE medical campus, and neighborhood retail, including a full-service grocery store addressing food access gaps. But the real story is how they're making it happen.

The site came with serious challenges — contaminated soils, groundwater impacts, and methane gas emissions from its landfill past. Through Brownfield designation and CRA partnership, what was once unusable city-owned land is becoming a district that will serve residents for generations.

The project also includes major water, sewer, and drainage upgrades benefiting not just the development but surrounding neighborhoods, addressing long-standing infrastructure needs that represent permanent public benefit. Financing affordable housing at this scale requires intricate coordination of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bonds, state funding, and local support.

It's complex work, but the result delivers 100% affordable and mixed-income housing, healthcare access, community programming, jobs, and infrastructure improvements that strengthen the entire area. Miami-Dade Justice Center: A New Model for Critical Infrastructure Plenary Americas is pioneering a different approach with the Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center — Florida's first social infrastructure public-private partnership.

The 25-story courthouse with 46 courtrooms replaces the functionally obsolete 1924 building that's decades beyond its useful life. More importantly, it establishes a model for how Florida can tackle other critical infrastructure needs through strategic partnerships.

These P3 projects demonstrate that when cities and developers align around shared goals, they can deliver affordable housing, environmental remediation, and public amenities together, tackling challenges that traditional development models simply can't solve.

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Inside Our Tallahassee Fly-In: How Miami Shows Up for What Matters Legislative sessions in Tallahassee move fast, and somewhere in the middle of it all, decisions get made that will affect Miami-Dade for years to ... MIAMI — Today, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce announced that it will honor Cesar L. Alvarez , Senior Chairman of global law firm Greenberg Traurig P.

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