Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs recently signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with the Small Business Administration (SBA), which extends vital assistance and training opportunities for local small businesses.<\/p>\n
The memorandum, signed by Mayor Jacobs and SBA\u2019s North Florida District Director Wilfredo Gonzalez, extends and formalizes Orange County\u2019s lasting relationship with SBA and solidifies the shared goal of nurturing and providing assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt important to help small businesses and entrepreneurs in our community achieve success,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cThese entrepreneurs are what help make Orange County such a fruitful and prosperous business community. The SBA does a fantastic job at providing the stepping stones for our small businesses to flourish.\u201d<\/p>\n
SBA provides aid, counsel and assistance to small business by providing financial, contractual and business development assistance and advocating on their behalf. The SBA promotes small business through education, training, work sessions, seminars and other activities conducive to Orange County\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a top priority for this Administration and the U.S. Small Business Administration to strategically align with our community partners and local governments to better serve our small business communities,\u201d Cassius Butts, Regional Administrator for the U.S. SBA said. \u201cI am pleased beyond words to witness this historic strategic partnership between the SBA and Orange County. I commend Mayor Jacobs for her commitment to small business and to the entrepreneurial opportunities she supports every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2013, Orange County allocated more than $1 million to fund economic development programs such as the Small Business Development Center, the local contingency of the SBA.<\/p>\n
SBA provides counseling and technical assistance to entrepreneurs through its vast network of resources and community partners, including Small Business Development Centers, Women\u2019s Business Centers, Veterans Business Centers, and SCORE chapters.<\/p>\n
SBA recently funded two business accelerators in the Central Florida area, including Starter Studio, based out of Orlando, and Sunshine Labs, based out of Longwood. Each received $50,000 from SBA.<\/p>\n
The SBA guaranteed more than $80 million worth of loans to Orange County businesses during fiscal year 2014.<\/p>\n