2 out of 3 Jobs in Florida Come from Small Business
What do Publix Supermarkets, AutoNation and Darden Restaurants have in common? They’re all Fortune 500 companies that started as Florida small businesses.
As we celebrate National Small Business Week, we cannot deny the impact that small businesses have to Florida’s economy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 99 percent of Florida companies are small businesses. Since the end of the recession, small businesses are responsible for the majority of job growth and are the state’s largest participants in international trade, producing 65 percent of Florida-origin exports. Yet small businesses are often hindered by lack of capital financing, rising healthcare costs and workforce challenges.
“Small businesses are the foundation of our communities,” said Michael Myhre, CEO and State Director of the Florida SBDC Network. “Small businesses help create new markets, transform communities, and stimulate economic growth. National Small Business Week is a great opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate their impact and the valuable employment opportunities that they provide for Floridians.”
But to continue leading as a small business state, Florida must continue to support funding, training and development for Florida’s small businesses. To help in this arena, the Florida Chamber’s Small Business Council works directly with state and national leaders to pass important small business legislation such as the elimination of the manufacturing sales tax in Florida and reducing sales tax on business rentals.
Additional resources for small businesses include access to consulting and training and export counseling services through the Florida SBDC Network; grant funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA); capital programs administered by Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) and workforce assistance through CareerSource Florida.
Share Your Story:
What does your business need to succeed? Email jparrish@flfoundation.org and share your story. If you would like to provide feedback in the Florida Chamber’s Small Business Index Survey, click here.
Get Involved:
If you would like to be part of the Florida Chamber Small Business Council’s unified voice in the mission to secure Florida’s future, sign up today.
About the Florida Scorecard:
The Florida Scorecard, located at www.TheFloridaScorecard.com, presents metrics across Florida’s economy. Each month, the Florida Chamber Foundation produces a Scorecard Stat that takes an in-depth look at one aspect of Florida’s economy. If you would like additional information on the Weekly Scorecard Stat or on the Florida Scorecard, please contact Dr. Jerry Parrish with the Florida Chamber Foundation at 850.521.1283.