Speak With Our Experts 703-831-0705

News & Events

2
0

News and Updates from the SBA North Florida District Office


Learn about what is happening with the SBA in North Florida

North Florida District Office  

u s small business administration

Director’s Corner

NFDO District Director J. Malcolm Richards

Greetings North Florida entrepreneurs. The SBA team here Jacksonville and Orlando have been busy helping business owners start and grow their businesses. We’ve hosted several webinars and participated with our resource partners on a variety of small business topics. The SBA and our extensive resource partner network is dedicated to your ongoing business success. Check out our calendar on the district website to see what kind of training opportunities are on the horizon. 

Visit the North Florida District Website

Small Biz Tip Series

Pandemic Recovery Stategies

Hear from Jonel Hein, Deputy District Director as she speaks about pandemic recovery tips as part of our Small Biz Tips Series. 

Watch Now

 


Updates and Information

SBA Lending

North Florida lenders approved a total of 320 loans for an approximate total of $257.8 million dollars so far in FY 22. 


The North Florida District Office celebrates African American/Black History Month. 

Photos of four people with the following text, Black History Month. The SBA logo is at the bottom.

The North Florida District Office hosted a 3-part series for African American/Black History Month- Unlocking the Tools to Mentorship, Credit and Access to Capital.

North Florida District Director/Acting South Florida District Director, J. Malcolm Richards and Allen Thomas, Region IV Administrator participated part 3 of the series. Mr. Richards is a former banker and decades of experience to the SBA North Florida District Office.  Additionally, the events featured SBA resource partners, staff, and guest speakers. Over 300 participants joined the calls to learn how to start and grow their businesses. 

BHM 1
BHM 2

Women’s History Month – Celebration and Training


Illustration of three people and buildings with the following text, Women’s History Month. The SBA logo is at the bottom.

Tuesday, March 22

Women’s History Month 2022 Celebration

Join the North Florida District Office, National Association of Women Business Owners, and the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center as we celebrate Women’s History Month. Meet some of the local businesswomen who triumphed over the economic impact of this historic pandemic and learn about the resources they leveraged to make it happen!
Featured speaker: Natalie M. Cofield, SBA Assistant Administrator – Women’s Business Ownership. 

Date and time

Tuesday, March 22, 2022; 1–2:30pm EDT

Friday, March 11

Virtual|Women + Franchise = A Winning Combination

Join the SBA at this free event, where you will hear from SBA on how our programs and services can assist with helping launch or grow a small business including franchise. The event will also provide key information from other presenters on business resources, franchise education and funding options. And as a bonus, the event will feature a live panel of women franchise owners, who will share their stories! 

Date and time

Friday, March 11, 2022
9–11am EST

Upcoming SBA Sponsored Events

Tuesday, March 1

8(a) Business Development Program

The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program is designed to help small, disadvantaged businesses that are socially and economically disadvantaged compete in the federal marketplace. The 8(a) Program offers executive level business training that helps to keep your small business competitive. There are many benefits, requirements, and an online application process. 

Date and time

Tuesday, March 1, 2022
4–5:15pm EST

Wednesday, March 2

HUBZone Certification Webinar

Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Contracting Program: The purpose of this program is to help small businesses in HUBZones w/federal contracting assistance so they can increase employment and have an impact on the economic development of their respective communities. The HUBZone program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least three percent of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year.

Date and time

Wednesday, March 2, 2022
4–5:15pm EST

Tuesday, March 15

The Power of Capital

Description

Join the SBA to learn about the Power of Capital. Learn how and what you should be doing to position your company in the best posture to get financing for your current or future business needs from a financial institution. This training will include topics like: Why are you a good investment for a bank to lend to? Financial Data that is important. What are your credit options and what SBA loan programs may be right for you.

Date and time

Tuesday, March 15, 2022
3:30–5pm EDT

Tuesday, March 15

Surety Bond Guarantee Program

Description

Surety bonds help small businesses win contracts by providing the customer with a guarantee that the work will be completed. Many public and private contracts require surety bonds, which are offered by surety companies. The SBA guarantees surety bonds for certain surety companies, which allows the companies to offer surety bonds to small businesses that might not meet the criteria for other sureties. If you are working in an industry that requires bonding, join the SBA’s Tamara Murray from the Office of Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) as she discusses the SBG Program in detail! Small businesses get SBA-guaranteed surety bonds so they can get to work! Some contracts require that the business doing the work be properly bonded. 

Date and time

Tuesday, March 15, 2022
4–5:15pm EDT

Thursday, March 24

Virtual Hour with SBA

Please join the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) North Florida District Office (NFDO) as we host our monthly Virtual Hour, which is a live call that will provide the latest information on SBA programs and services. We will also provide additional information on resources that’s also available to help future aspiring entrepreneurs, or small business owners seeking to start, purchase, grow or recover. During the call the participants will have access to the NFDO team members, who can speak to you about business mentoring, government contracting, business loans (Access to Capital) veteran, women’s business resources, and other SBA initiatives. 

Date and time

Thursday, March 24, 2022
1–2pm EDT

To connect to this event please dial-in at

(202) 765-1264;

Conference ID: 957 779 620#


SBA Training in Spanish

Thursday, March 10

Orientación a los Servicios de la Administración de Pequeñas Empresas (SBA)

La Agencia Federal de Pequeñas Empresas (SBA, por sus siglas, en inglés) ayuda a propietarios y emprendedores de pequeñas empresas a lograr el sueño americano. La SBA ofrece una amplia gama de servicios y programas que el público en general no comprende. La SBA es la única agencia federal que ofrece servicios y programas gratuitos con un enfoque en asesoramiento empresarial, acceso a capital, contratación gubernamental y ayuda en casos de desastre. Si usted es un empresario hispano y desea obtener más información sobre estos servicios y programas en nuestra área local, regístrese para este evento.

Date and time

Thursday, March 10, 2022
4–5pm EST

Boots to Business, Veterans

Boots to Business

Learn more about the program.

Contact for more information: Natalie Hall, SBA North Florida Veterans Representative

 

Insight provided by a recent participant:

“I want to take a moment and thank you and your team for presenting a class that was/is very important and beneficial. I feel that without the knowledge that I obtained I would have still been sitting on thought instead of continuing forward.  I appreciate the honesty of the reality and expectations the most. Having business owners share their experiences was an excellent source of information for me. Most business owners are too busy to take time for people who are still in the thought/dream phase.” 


Resource Partner Events (March)

Below are additional training and events provided by our resource partners in North Florida. Events/training may have a cost. Some of our resource partners are providing in-person events. Please check with the organization listed to ensure the event is still scheduled to occur or with any other questions

Procurement Technical Assistance Center

Wednesday, March 2, 2022 – 9:00am EST

Registration Required

 

Small Business Development Center

Thursday, March 3, 2022 – 9:00am EST

FSBDC at the University of Central Florida

3201 E. Colonial Drive

Orlando, FL 32803

Registration Required

 

Women’s Business Center

Thursday, March 3, 2022 – 9:30am EST

JAX Chamber

3 Independent Dr.

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Registration Required

 

Small Business Development Center

Thursday, March 10, 2022 – 10:00am EST

Registration Required

 

Small Business Development Center

Thursday, March 24, 2022 – 10:00am EDT

Registration Required