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Published: December 09 2013

BROWARD COUNTY, FLA - Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief set the stage for her upcoming year as Mayor, announcing the “Broward Means Business” initiative to focus on small businesses and county programs designed to help.  
 
“Broward County has long been an advocate of small business. I will be challenging the organization to expand this focus and to build upon our successes with small business mentoring programs, loan programs and technical assistance including the ABC’s of building a business plan,” said Mayor Sharief.  
 
The Broward County Commission has focused on job creation and cumulative efforts are having a positive impact.  The unemployment rate in Broward County is at 5.8 percent, nearly half of what it was five years ago.  
 
Broward County capital projects that include the runway expansion at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, construction of the new Broward County Courthouse, and large scale improvements at Port Everglades provides jobs for thousands of people and in turn opportunities for local companies and sub-contractors doing business with the County. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau reported a record number thirteen million visitors in 2013, contributing an estimated $10 billion to the local economy.
 
The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development is at the front line when it comes to business development and retention.  They stand ready to assist any business in a number of a ways including relocation, job creation incentives, or access to small business loans. Training is also available for entrepreneurs and seminars are scheduled throughout the county to provide information and instruction on government contracts and other business opportunities.

“Along with our municipalities, the Great Fort Lauderdale Alliance, and our business community, we form a broad partnership that benefits the local economy and our industry,” said Mayor Sharief. “We are a major player in international trade and entrepreneurship. The development and resilience of our small business community makes us unique and desirable national and internationally.”
 
Broward County also maintains a public/private partnership with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance.  “For twelve months we had the lowest unemployment of any county in the Florida.  We experienced stronger job growth than most other counties in Florida as well.  It’s not just people off unemployment, it's people getting jobs.  It is nice that we have metric outside of our own that reinforces what we are doing,” Alliance President/CEO Bob Swindell told Commissioners.
  
As part of the “Broward Means Business” initiative, Mayor Sharief will regularly being Commission meetings with an introduction to Broward County agencies that contribute to the economy, create jobs and provide public services.  As Broward counts down to celebrate the Broward County Centennial, the Mayor also announced plans for “Broward 100,” an employee recognition of one hundred workers providing outstanding public service.