OEV
Newsletter 

April 26, 2024

Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality Honored with 2024 Regional Deal of the Year Award!

OEV proudly announces its receipt of the 2024 Regional Deal of the Year award bestowed by the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC). OEV Director Keith Bowers accepted the award, which was presented at the FEDC Foundation Annual Conference Diamond Jubilee Awards Dinner on the night of April 16, 2024. This prestigious accolade recognizes the outstanding efforts of OEV in securing the Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center (first called Project Mango), a monumental achievement for the region's economic growth and vitality. 

OEV Launches Regional Supplier Diversity Symposium to Address Economic Equity Gaps

Last week, OEV hosted its inaugural Regional Supplier Diversity Symposium, "Optimizing Job Creation and Business Growth in a Resilient Economy," in partnership with the National League of Cities. The event aimed to address economic disparities and propel the inclusion of minority vendors in local procurement practices.

The inaugural event featured a series of keynote addresses delivered by leaders from HCA Florida Healthcare:

The symposium also featured engaging panel discussions led by leaders from the Capital City Chamber of Commerce, Major Procurement Institutions, and entrepreneurs at the forefront of their fields in construction, supply chain management, and other professional services. These discussions spotlighted best practices and opened dialogues on overcoming systemic barriers in procurement.

OEV is committed to fostering an inclusive economy that reflects the diversity of our community. Through strategic initiatives like the Regional Supplier Diversity Symposium, we aim to reinforce how minority-owned businesses are vital to overall economic growth and innovation.

OEV and Leon County Host Successful Leon Works Expo, Connecting Job Seekers with Employment Opportunities

The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) and Leon County Government celebrated another successful Leon Works Expo, an annual event connecting high school students entering the workforce with skilled career opportunities. Held at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on April 12, the Expo welcomed 500 students from Leon and surrounding counties and 76 exhibitors showcasing high-demand career paths in healthcare, trade, business & IT, and creative. Participating employers showcased job openings, apprenticeship programs, and career advancement  opportunities, 

 providing valuable insights into the local job market.

The success of the Leon Works Expo underscores the collaborative efforts of OEV, Leon County, and community stakeholders in addressing the workforce needs of Tallahassee-Leon County. As the region continues to grow and evolve, events like the Leon Works Expo play a crucial role in shaping the future of our workforce and economy.

Graduate Gossip

Did you know? Each academic year, 12,000–13,000 graduates complete degrees at FSU and FAMU. Graduate retention is consistently around 15%, with 11-12% full-time employed in Leon County by the next Fall after graduation. The 12% of graduates found full-time employed in Leon County the following year is about the same as the proportion of incoming university students from Leon County. This 12% retention equilibrium for Leon County generates continuous renewal of the local workforce and is consistent with the tempo of growth in the local labor force and employment.

Watch our DataTALKS on Student Retention to learn more:

Notable News

The US dollar is strengthening. Here’s what’s driving the rally and what it means for Americans

Bryan Mena
CNN

Chain of Parks Art Festival to bring in $1 million to Tallahassee

Alberto Camargo
WTXL

Upcoming Opportunities
from Our Partners

41st Annual Big Bend Regional

Small Business Week

Women's Small Business Month Awards Luncheon

Celebrate woman leaders with Big Bend Minority Chamber for Small Business Month!

May 10, 2024
11:30 AM–1:00 PM

Turnbull Conference Center

Share Your Event

Have an upcoming event that you'd like to share with the community? Submit it for inclusion in the OEV Newsletter! Whether it's a networking opportunity, workshop, webinar, or community event, we want to help spread the word and support your initiatives. Submitting your event is quick and easy—email mwynn@oevforbusiness.org with the details, including the date, time, location, and a brief description, and we'll take care of the rest. Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your event to a wide audience and positively impact our community. 

Read Past Issues of the OEV Newsletter Online!

Delve into past issues of the OEV Newsletter to catch up on updates, insights, economic development initiatives, programs, and opportunities in Tallahassee-Leon County!