The City of Miami Beach Economic Development Department is pleased to provide you with this monthly business newsletter that includes the latest information and resources available for our business community.



Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe today to receive your own copy by clicking here.

Happy Holidays from the Economic Development Team

The City of Miami Beach Economic Development team wishes you a Happy Holiday Season!

Finish 2023 Strong: Year-End Tips for Small Businesses to Implement Today for A Successful 2024

Miami Beach Convention Center Selected as Project of the Year!

The Miami Beach Convention Center, which underwent a $640 million renovation and expansion, was awarded the 2023 Project of the Year Vision Award at the 15^th Annual Urban Land Institute Southeast Florida Caribbean Chapter ceremony, held on November 28, 2023.

“The Miami Beach Convention Center is the epicenter of economic impact in Miami Beach — welcoming more than 600,000 visitors annually,” shared City Manager Alina T. Hudak. “Once a disconnected area and dated facility surrounded by asphalt, the revised 25-acre site and 1.4 million sq. foot building has been transformed into the city’s new civic heart. We are so grateful to ULI for this incredible recognition.” 

Click here to read more.

Miami Beach to Begin Construction on Real Time Intelligence Center

The City of Miami Beach broke ground on a Real Time Intelligence Center, which will integrate approximately 850 cameras and 1,600 camera views citywide with other advanced technology. The $2 million project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024, with partial funding from the 2018 General Obligation (G.O.) Bond.

Click here to read more.

BUSINESS EVENTS RECAP

8th America Digital Congress Miami 2023: A Landmark Event in Tech and Finance

The 8th America Digital Congress, the region's largest technology event, marked a significant milestone by being hosted outside of South America for the first time. Held at the Miami Beach Convention Center on November 15 and 16, the America Digital Congress has become a focal point for technology and finance professionals globally.

Miami Beach then Commissioner David Richardson opened the conference, highlighting Miami Beach's emerging status as a tech and finance hub and emphasized the city's commitment to supporting the growth of emerging sectors through various incentives and programs.

The exhibition floor was a buzz of activity, featuring prominent brands like AWS, Twilio, Okta, Zoho, Blip, CloudHesive, Incode, Glia, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, The City of Miami Beach, Kushki, and Zebra. Attendees had the unique opportunity to engage directly with these industry leaders, gaining insights into the latest trends and innovations.

The conference program, divided into two specialized forums, offered a platform for over 3,000 C-level executives, decision-makers, and digital transformation leaders to connect and discuss key issues. The opportunity for one-on-one meetings with such a diverse and influential group was invaluable for those seeking to navigate the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

America Digital Proved to be more than just an event; it is a testament to the technological revolution and Miami Beach's role in shaping the future of tech and finance.

Black Professional Network Summit Recap

The Black Professional Network Summit 2023 (BPN), held on November 10-12, was a momentous event for Black executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs. Sponsored by the City of Miami Beach, the summit offered a rich tapestry of thought leadership, strategic insights, and networking opportunities.

Renowned sports commentator, Stephen A. Smith, was the keynote speaker and shared valuable lessons on career resilience and mastering your craft, aligning with the BPN theme "MVP: Mastery, Value, Performance." His insights offered a nuanced perspective on professional growth and strategic business acumen.

Rickelle Williams, Miami Beach Assistant City Manager, emphasized the city's dedication to cultivating an inclusive business environemnt. Her address highlighted how Black professionals and entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in enriching Miami Beach's economic and cultural landscape.

BPN's sessions, workshops, and networking platforms were designed to enhance the attendees' career paths and business ventures. BPN's commitment to skill-building, career development, and business growth shone through the event's diverse programming.

Black Professional Network Summit 2023 was not only a celebration of Black business expertise but also a cornerstone event for the community, setting a high standard for professional development and collaboration. The summit stood as a testament to the power of unity, learning, and support in achieving professional excellence.

eMerge Americas Tech Basel Summit Event

Leveraging the excitement around Art Basel, eMerge Americas together with Florida Funders hosted the third annual, exclusive in-person event at Julia & Henry's on December 7, 2023.

The one-day, invite only event allowed founders, investors, and family offices, to connect, converse and collaborate.

The event also kicked-off the annual eMerge Americas premier tech conference + expo scheduled for April 18th + 19th, 2024 – celebrating ten years!

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Sephora Beauty Grant

Black business is on a growth trajectory. Currently, there are more than 2 million Black-owned small businesses in the U.S. post pandemic, the number of new Black business owners has risen 38 percent. Regrettable, Black entrepreneurs continue to face systemic barriers that impede access to capital to grow their businesses. Accordingly, in 2022, Black startup founders received only $264 million of $33.6 billion in capital allocated - less than 1%.

That is why the Fifteen Percent Pledge is excited to announce in partnership with Sephora, the launch of the Sephora Beauty Grant, awarding one Black business owner within the beauty industry a $100,000 grant to unlock the next level of growth and potential for their brand. 

Applications are due by December 18, 2023. To apply click here.

Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is now accepting applications for the second cohort of its Economic Mobility Fellowship. To qualify, fellows must have at least 10 years of experience in their field and the authority to lead a change initiative. Individuals who are committed to advancing the role of business in U.S. economic mobility are encouraged to apply.

Click here to learn more and apply.

eMerge Americas Accelerator Showcase

eMerge Americas opened applications for its 2024 Startup Accelerator and Showcase. Entrepreneurs have the chance to win a $520,000 investment for their venture. eMerge will select 110 startups from across the world for a seven-week program that will culminate in a pitch competition next April.

Applications are due by January 31, 2024. For more information and to apply click here.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AVAILABLE

Looking for retail space? Consider this North Beach location at 7143 Collins Ave or this corner space in the heart of Mid-Beach at 451 W 41st St. If South Beach is on your list consider 736 Collins Ave.

To view other available properties, click here.

BUSINESS NEWSFLASH

LOCAL EVENTS

No Vacancy Miami Beach

November 11 - December 14, 2023

Experience public art at some of Miami Beach's famed hotels during No Vacancy's annual exhibition of juried works. Presented by the City of Miami Beach in collaboration with the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA), the juried art competition returns for its fourth edition to expand Miami's cultural scene with an exciting lineup of site-specific installations, sculptures, murals and activations by 12 artists at 12 iconic Miami Beach hotels. The free public exhibition will be on display from Thursday, November 11 through Thursday, December 14.



For more information click here.

Original Miami Beach Antique Show

January 11 - 15, 2023

This unique 5-day event is a treasure hunt where history, artistry and innovation combine. Shop for all of your antique buying needs – from jewelry, watches, handbags to artwork, home décor and so much more!

For tickets and additional information click here.

Aspen Ideas: Climate Miami Beach 2024 Early Bird Access

Early Bird passes are on sale now for Aspen Ideas: Climate 2024 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, March 11-13, 2024. In addition, every registration entry results in one tree planted in Miami-Dade County.

The Aspen Institute engages global and local policymakers, scientific experts, corporate leaders, inventors and innovators, artists, young leaders and influencers whose actions are critical to addressing our collective future around the realities of a changing climate.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

City of Miami Beach Weekly Meetings

Stay up to date on all of our upcoming meetings. From Commission meetings to committee meetings, please click here for a full list with links to participate.

Temporary Commission Chambers

at Miami Beach Convention Center

Due to Commission Chamber renovations, all City Commission, Commission Committees and Land Use Board meetings through December will be hosted on the second floor of the Miami Beach Convention Center at 1901 Convention Center Drive in meeting rooms 222-225.



Beyond attending in-person meetings, residents, businesses and stakeholders can continue to watch these meetings live on the city’s website, our government-access cable television station MBTV (Breezeline Channel 660, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, and Hotwire Fision Digital Access Channel 395), Facebook page, YouTube page and via Zoom. Viewers can also continue participating via Zoom.

Click here for more details. Visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/calendar to see a monthly view of all city meetings.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

City of Miami Beach Vacant Storefront Cover Program

The City of Miami Beach relaunched the Vacant Storefront Cover Program in a continued effort to improve the appearance of vacant, street-level commercial buildings and support the lease-up of retail spaces throughout the Miami Beach.



First unveiled in 2019, this initiative supports property owners, brokers, realtors and property managers by wrapping vacant storefront windows free of charge with one of ten (10) artistic designs preapproved by the City.

Click here to learn more about the program and how to get started. Interested brokers, realtors, property owners and managers should apply here and email the completed application to Mbbiz@miamibeachfl.gov.

North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Facade Improvement Program

The North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (“North Beach CRA") is excited to announce the launch of the North Beach CRA Commercial Façade & Residential Property Improvement Program (“Programs). The purpose of the Programs is to assist business and property owners to improve, repair, and preserve older buildings; stimulate investment in and revitalization of private property and highlight historic architecture to foster a sense of place that is attractive and welcoming to the entire community, whether visitor, resident, shopper, or merchant.



For additional information and access to the Programs, please click here.

Is Your Business Eligible for the New Commercial Lease Subsidy Program?

To stimulate the cultural and commercial hubs of the city, the City of Miami Beach has unveiled a Commercial Lease Subsidy Program ("CLS"). Located in the heart of the Art Deco / MiMo Commercial Character Overlay District (ADCD), an area renowned for its unique cultural, commercial, and entertainment offerings, this program seeks to augment Miami Beach's arts, tourism and hospitality sectors.

The purpose of the CLS program is to attract businesses that resonate with the community's spirit and enhance both visitor experience and resident quality of life in the ADCD.

To qualify, businesses must meet one (1) of the following conditions:

• Properties presently occupied by legal nonconforming businesses transitioning to a now permitted model.
• New-to-market arts and cultural business concepts that are absent from the ADCD.

Program participants may be eligible to receive:

• A reimbursement of “Qualified Expenses”, up to $2,500 monthly, with a cap of $20,000 annually. Participants may not exceed $60,000 over a span of three (3) years.

For more information, prospective businesses are encouraged to click here.

Miami Beach Expedited Plan Review and Permitting Incentive Program

The City of Miami Beach is committed to diversifying the local economy by attracting and retaining companies in targeted industries like, financial services and technology. As part of this effort, the City is also offering an Expedited Plan Review and Permitting Program to incentivize targeted relocations, including expansions and associated development for companies. Click here to review full program guidelines.

Miami Beach Job Creation Incentive Program

The City of Miami Beach is offering the Job Creation Incentive Program (JCIP), a performance-based incentive adopted by the City Commission. The program aims to strategically attract new financial service companies and technology firms while helping existing businesses expand in Miami Beach to increase the number of high-wage jobs. Click here for more info and application details.

How to Apply for a Business Tax Receipt and a Certificate of Use

The choices you make affect your business operations, taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. View what you need to operate a business in Miami Beach here.

Plastic Free Miami Beach

Register your business at Miami Beach - Rising Above (mbrisingabove.com) List of Participating Plastic Free MB Businesses

Pop-Up Venue Permit

Pop-up venues are temporary retail spaces that can be used to promote and sell products of all types, ranging from food and beverages, clothing or unique gifts. The concept has the potential for low overhead, low risk and is a great way to introduce yourself to the market, generate buzz, increase sales and extend the reach and exposure of your business. To apply for a City of Miami Beach Pop-Up Venue permit click here.

PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Looking for Bid Opportunities?

If you would like to be notified of available competitive solicitations released by the City of Miami Beach, you must register your company through Periscope S2G, Supplier-to-Government by clicking here. Registration is easy and will take only a few minutes. Refer to the guide for instructions on how to register and submit an electronic bid here.

Become A Registered City of Miami Beach Vendor 

To read more and to register click here.

This Month in Miami Beach History: Joe's Stone Crab

On December 4^th, 1920, Jennie and Joe Weiss open “Joe’s Diner,” a small seafood restaurant at 213 Biscayne Avenue (now South Point Drive). Joe cooked the food, while Jennie waited on tables. Over 100 years later Joe’s Stone Crab is still thriving, with various celebrities and locals alike enjoying the buttery stone crabs and more.

CONTACT US

Visit MBBIZ.com or contact the Economic Development team here for more information on resources, finding the perfect location(s) for your business expansion or sharing  ideas for future topics. 

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Missed a prior edition? Check out previous newsletters and business spotlight stories here.