OEV
Newsletter 

August 23, 2024

Facts About Small Business: Black Ownership Statistics 2024

The SBA Office of Advocacy released an infographic showcasing Black-owned businesses in the United States. The sources for this infographic are two Census programs: the Annual Business Survey (ABS) and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics (NES-D). 

Black business owners own 3.5 million businesses and
employ over 1.2 million people.

Source: Office of Advocacy

The most recent ABS data for the Tallahassee metro area is from 2021. The ABS focuses on businesses with paid employees. In 2021, approximately 4.9% of employer firms in the Tallahassee metro area were Black or African-American-owned, higher than the statewide (3.8%) and nationwide (2.7%) percentages. 

Most business establishments in the U.S. are nonemployers (i.e., self-employed individuals operating as sole proprietorships). According to the 2019 NES-D results, 27% of nonemployer firms in the Tallahassee area were Black or African-American-owned.

Celebrating Black Business Month with the Capital City Chamber

Earlier this month, we joined the Capital City Chamber of Commerce in celebrating Black-Owned Business Month. Our Director, Keith Bowers, delivered a comprehensive overview of the local economy, while our Deputy Director, Darryl Jones, was honored with the prestigious Vanguard Award. This recognition highlights his outstanding leadership at OEV and his impactful involvement in the community, including his service on the Leon County School Board.

Additionally, the event celebrated TaMaryn Waters from the Tallahassee Democrat, who received the Charles Cyrus Community Champion Award for her influential work in business journalism. Marina Lickson from the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship was also awarded the Charles Cyrus Community Champion Award for her exceptional leadership in bolstering Tallahassee’s small business ecosystem through entrepreneurial development and training initiatives. 

We are proud to see our community’s leaders recognized for their contributions, and we look forward to continuing our work together to foster economic growth and development in Tallahassee-Leon County.

Photo credit: Capital City Chamber of Commerce

Support a Black-Owned Business this Black Business Month!

By consciously choosing to shop locally and patronize Black-owned establishments, we can create a more inclusive and equitable economy that benefits everyone. Visit www.LoveYourLocalTLH.com today to find black-owned businesses!

Photo Source: Moore Bass Consulting

Ready, Set, Build: Site Readiness as an Economic Development Advantage

The "Ready, Set, Build" workshop at the TalChamber Conference emphasized the crucial role of public-private partnerships in fostering industry growth. Moderated by Richard Darabi of Moore Bass Consulting, the panel included OEV Director Keith Bowers, Rose Burden from Ernst & Young, and Chris Wimsatt of FloridaCommerce. The session provided insights into what companies and site selectors prioritize, Florida's site readiness programs, and OEV's strategies for positioning Tallahassee-Leon County as a prime location for business expansion.

Notable News

The Full List: Best Companies To Work For In Florida

Tallahassee MSA Single-Family Sales Down 15.7% in June

Tallahassee Reports

Upcoming Opportunities
from Our Partners

August 29, 2024
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Hotel Indigo
826 W. Gaines Street

Florida Panhandle Capital Readiness Program (CRP) Launch and Networking Session

Join Florida A&M University SBDC BBMC, Domi Station, and the Capital City Chamber of Commerce as we officially launch the Florida Panhandle Capital Readiness Program. This program, funded by a generous Capital Readiness grant from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), is a unique opportunity for businesses in our region to gain critical access to capital, expand their networks, and enhance their operational capacities through comprehensive training and support.

Future of Work Florida - September Workforce Wednesday Webinar

Ready to Transform Your Hiring Process?

Join the Florida Chamber of Commerce for a complimentary Workforce Wednesday webinar on Skills-based Hiring and discover how to find the right talent by focusing on what truly matters—SKILLS!

What You'll Learn:

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!