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Florida SBDC Network, FloridaMakes Announce Partnership to Aid State’s Small Manufacturers

Jacksonville, Fla. The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and FloridaMakes have formalized a strategic partnership to support Florida’s small manufacturers.

The partnership will provide greater access to and awareness of Florida SBDC Network and FloridaMakes training and resources for small manufacturers in Florida. The agreement will foster greater communication, cross-referrals, understanding of each other’s services, and collaboration on training and programs for small manufacturers across the state.

L-R: Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network, and Kevin Carr, CEO of FloridaMakes, with the MOU

“FloridaMakes’ long commitment to strengthen and advance Florida’s economy by improving the productivity and technological performance of small manufacturers compliments our mission of ensuring our state’s small businesses have the expertise and resources to succeed,” said Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network. “We look forward to partnering with FloridaMakes to help more of our state’s small manufacturers grow and create more jobs for Florida’s families.”

FloridaMakes is a statewide, industry-led, public-private partnership operated by an alliance of Florida’s regional manufacturers associations with the sole mission of strengthening and advancing Florida’s economy by improving the competitiveness, productivity and technological performance of its manufacturing sector, with an emphasis on small- and medium-sized firms.

“Florida is home to over 23,000 manufacturers, of which about 80 percent have 20 or less employees,” said Kevin Carr, Chief Executive Officer of FloridaMakes. “This partnership will allow us to expand the breadth of services we offer the industry in order to help grow and retain small manufacturers in Florida.”

Through this agreement, Florida’s Regional Manufacturers Associations (RMAs), allied through the FloridaMakes network, may enter into local partnerships with Florida SBDC regional offices to support small manufacturers through local programs and initiatives.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the organizations in Jacksonville during the Florida Chamber’s Transportation Growth and Infrastructure Summit this week.

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About the Florida SBDC Network: 

For over 45 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy. In 2020, the Florida SBDC Network delivered more than 162,500 hours of consulting to more than 24,000 small businesses, resulting in 38,797 jobs impacted, $7.4 billion in sales generated, $553.5 million in capital accessed, and $488.1 million in government contracts acquired. According to an economic impact study conducted for the Florida SBDC, it was estimated that for every $1 invested in the Florida SBDC $60 is returned to the state in tax revenue and our services resulted in a $3.9 billion impact on Florida’s economy. With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

 

About FloridaMakes:

FloridaMakes is a statewide, industry-led, public-private partnership operated by an alliance of Florida’s regional manufacturer associations and organizations that serve manufacturers. FloridaMakes’ sole mission is strengthening and advancing Florida’s economy by improving the competitiveness, productivity and technological performance of its manufacturing sector, with an emphasis on small- and medium-sized firms. It accomplishes this by providing services focused on three principal value streams: technology adoption, talent development, and business growth. FloridaMakes is the representative of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network in the state of Florida, a program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information, visit www.FloridaMakes.com.

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