Salazar Launches BizGap Small Business Development Program after Securing $650,000 in Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Small Business Committee Member Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) launched the Business Growth and Acceleration Program (BizGap) with Florida International University (FIU) after securing $650,000 to create jobs and grow small businesses in District 27.
Salazar secured U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Community Project funding for the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at FIU Business as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The BizGap program will provide hyperlocal consulting and training to 1,000 or more businesses in the district during 2024.
“As a proud member of the Small Business Committee, I know that entrepreneurs and mom-and-pop shops are the backbone of Miami,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “Florida’s District 27 is home to more than 60,000 businesses — half of which are small businesses. I am proud to launch this program, which will provide coaching, training, and connectivity to small business resources so that more people can feel confident when starting and expanding their business in Miami.”
Specifically, the BizGap program will provide:
- Door-to-door canvassing to reach business owners in key commercial corridors.
- Surveying local business owners on business challenges and resources need to grow.
- One-on-one business consulting in startup and business growth areas.
- Training, workshops and webinars on topics such as marketing, access to capital, business strategy and startup assistance.
- Connections to small business loans/grants, community resources, and industry professionals.
“Florida SBDC at FIU appreciates the Congresswoman’s support to secure this funding to scale up the center’s successful BizGap program to FL-27,” said Brian Van Hook, Regional Director, FSBDC at FIU. “BizGap is focused on meeting small business owners where they are in the community and providing them with the guidance, resources and partnerships needed to start and grow their businesses. Our team is excited to get to work in FL-27 and also to partner with communities in the district as we ramp up BizGap in 2024.”
Congresswoman Salazar has secured more than $40 million in funding for Florida’s 27th District in the last few years. Her direct advocacy in Congress resulted in more than $17 million in funding to improve healthcare and climate resiliency in Miami. The Congresswoman also secured nearly $24 million in funding to protect and enhance Miami’s water infrastructure, expand community health centers, and support law enforcement and improve public safety.
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