OEV
Newsletter 

May 29, 2026

Love Your Local This Summer!

As summer settles into Tallahassee, local businesses across College Town and beyond are feeling the seasonal shift that comes when thousands of students head home. Taxable sales typically decline by about 4% during the summer months as student populations at Florida State University and Florida A&M University drop significantly. With nearly 25,000 fewer students enrolled between the spring and summer semesters at FSU and FAMU combined, restaurants, retailers, and service providers are challenged to navigate a slower season until the community’s familiar energy returns in the fall.

That’s why supporting local businesses matters more than ever during the summer months. Many Tallahassee entrepreneurs are responding with creativity and resilience, launching special events, promotions, and new services to keep customers engaged. From neighborhood restaurants and boutiques to service providers and specialty retailers, local businesses help fuel the economy and preserve the character that makes Tallahassee unique. This summer, residents are encouraged to discover and support businesses close to home by visiting LoveYourLocalTLH.com, a free directory featuring hundreds of locally owned businesses across Tallahassee-Leon County. Every dollar spent locally helps strengthen our community and supports the small businesses that keep Tallahassee thriving year-round.

Private Sector Earnings in the Tallahassee Metro Area Continue to Outpace Statewide Trends

Private sector workers in Tallahassee-Leon County continue seeing substantial gains in real earnings in March. Employment data shows private-sector average weekly earnings in the Tallahassee metro area reached $1,159 — an increase of $158, or 15.8%, compared to March 2025. After accounting for the South region’s 3.0% annual inflation rate, local private sector workers experienced an estimated  12.8% increase in real purchasing power. By comparison, statewide private sector earnings rose just 5.5% year-over-year, translating to only about 2.5% real earnings growth after inflation.

Source: Florida Department of Commerce; Bureau of Labor Statistics (CPI-U South inflation rate)

Reliable, High-Speed Internet from Xfinity Coming to Leon County’s Rural Communities

More Than 3,300 Homes and Businesses in Rural Florida Will Be Connected to America’s Smartest and Most Reliable Converged WiFi Network for the First Time 

Comcast recently announced that efforts are ongoing and underway to bring rural Floridians world-class connectivity. More than 100 previously unserved homes and businesses in Leon County’s Chaires community now have access to multi-gigabit, symmetrical Internet from America’s smartest and most reliable converged network. This summer, construction will continue to expand the network to more than 3,200 additional locations in Leon County’s rural communities, bringing them high-speed Internet access for the very first time. 

The project was made possible thanks to a public-private partnership with the state of Florida’s Broadband Opportunity Program and includes locations in and around the communities of Blocker, Concord, Felkel, Gardner, Lutterloh, Meridan, Miccosukee, Wadesboro and Woodville. 

Congratulations to the 2026 Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce Trailblazer Award Recipients!

The Office of Economic Vitality congratulates the outstanding women recognized at the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Women’s Trailblazer Awards Luncheon. This annual celebration honors women who are making a lasting impact across the Big Bend region through leadership, service, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

This year’s honorees include Jennifer Daniels (Franklin County), Patricia Bates-Trotta (Gadsden County; also a 2025 Women-Owned Business of the Year awardee), Sunnie Washington (Jefferson County), Brandi Thomas (Leon County), and Heather Bryan (Wakulla County), along with Sha’Ron James, recipient of the Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud Award, and Ella Olaitan, Youth Trailblazer Award recipient (also a 2025 Youth Entrepreneur awardee).

The luncheon connected entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community champions to celebrate the achievements of women who continue to pave the way for future generations. We applaud these remarkable leaders for their dedication, influence, and contributions to strengthening communities throughout the Big Bend region.

Notable News

TSC and Sterling Flight Training Launch New Professional Aeronautics Certification Program

Tallahassee State College News

Tallahassee Woman Magazine 20th Anniversary Mixer

Join us on Saturday, June 6, to celebrate Tallahassee Woman Magazine’s 20th Anniversary with a  Southern Chic Western-themed mixer at The Monroe! From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, guests will gather on the beautiful outdoor patio to honor the remarkable Cover Women, influential leaders, and trailblazing women who continue to shape Tallahassee’s business community through leadership, mentorship, and service. Everyone is invited — men and women alike — to be part of this exciting milestone event.

AI Skills Lab: Mastering Google AI Tools

Stop losing hours to manual tasks and start using the smart tools you already pay for. Join Domi Station and Ciara Butler of Prism & Sable for a hands-on two-part series AI and Google Workspace Workshop designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners automate tasks, streamline operations, and work smarter with AI.

Perfect for entrepreneurs, startups, creatives, consultants, and small business owners looking to save time and scale more efficiently.

Tickets guarantee a seat at both sessions (Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13)