OEV
Newsletter 

September 4, 2026

Advantage 2026 Brings Business and Economic Opportunity into Focus

The Capital City Chamber of Commerce will host the Advantage 2026: Business Summit on Monday, September 14, at the FSU Turnbull Center, bringing together entrepreneurs, small business owners, corporate partners, government agencies, and business resource organizations for a morning focused on the Capital Region’s economic outlook and growth opportunities.

The summit will examine where the regional economy stands today, the industries and opportunities shaping its future, and how local businesses can position themselves to participate. Conversations will cover emerging business opportunities, procurement and contracting readiness, operational and financial capacity, and the resources available to help businesses grow and compete.

Event sponsored by OEV

The program will feature an economic outlook from Dr. Clyde Diao, Chief Economist with Regional Economic Consulting Group, followed by a conversation with Katrina Tuggerson and OEV Director Keith Bowers connecting broader economic trends to what businesses are experiencing locally. An interactive Business Concierge Roadmap session with Eddie Loumiet and Byron Greene will also help entrepreneurs navigate regional resources and identify practical next steps for their businesses.

Advantage 2026 will also serve as a launch point for the Capital City Chamber’s continued Small Business Capacity Building Initiative, building on the summit's momentum through workshops, technical assistance, resource connections, and networking opportunities.

Put AI to Work for Your Business

Tallahassee-Leon County businesses are invited to the Accelerate AI Kickoff on October 6 to explore practical AI and cloud solutions designed to solve common business challenges.

Participants will see how the four available tools can support their operations:

Hosted by OEV in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Nub8—Accelerate AI is designed for businesses that want to improve efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and reduce time spent on manual processes. No technical background is required, and there is no cost to participate. Selected businesses will also receive personalized implementation support and team training to help apply one of these solutions to their operations.

Private-Sector Momentum Continues Across the Tallahassee Metro

Tallahassee-Leon County’s private sector continues to show resilience, with the latest employment data highlighting sustained job growth and rising worker earnings. In July, private-sector employment across the Tallahassee metro area reached 139,600 jobs, up 1.7% from a year ago. Even more notable, private-sector employment has grown year over year in 11 of the past 12 months, pointing to continued demand among local employers.

Earnings are showing even stronger momentum. Average weekly private-sector earnings climbed to $1,139.71 in July, an 8.2% increase from July 2025 and the 30th consecutive month of year-over-year growth. After accounting for regional inflation, that represents approximately 5.1% growth in real earnings—meaning workers’ earnings are increasing faster than consumer prices. Tallahassee’s earnings growth has also outpaced Florida’s statewide rate every month since December 2024.

The broader labor market remains an important area to watch. The Tallahassee MSA unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in July, while Leon County reached 5.2% and the City of Tallahassee 5.5%. July is historically the metro area’s highest-unemployment month, but the latest figures reinforce the importance of connecting residents with the opportunities being generated across the private sector. Together, the data show an economy where employers continue to add jobs and increase earnings, even as the region navigates a changing labor market.

Source: FloridaCommerce, July 2026 Employment and Unemployment Data; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), Current Employment Statistics (CES) and Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), South Region

Vote for Danfoss Turbocor as the Coolest Thing Made in Florida!

Danfoss Turbocor Compressors have advanced to the Top 8 in the Florida Chamber’s 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition — and now they need your vote!

Help send a Tallahassee-Leon County manufacturer to the Final Four by voting for Danfoss in the next round. You can cast your vote once per day in each head-to-head matchup through September 8.

Vote daily until September 8 and help showcase the world-class innovation being made right here in Tallahassee-Leon County!

Notable News

Florida State University Wertheim College of Business launches Business of Healthcare Initiative

Pete Reinwald
FSU News

Save the Date: FSU's 4th
Annual Discovery Challenge

Are you ready for some high-stakes innovation? Join us for FSU’s 4th Annual Discovery Challenge, a Shark Tank-style pitch competition where top FSU startups compete for up to $100,000 in cash prizes!

Presented as part of FSU Discovery Days, a campus-wide celebration of research, creativity, and enterprise, this event showcases the incredible talent driving our community forward. Audience members will get in on the action to pick the company they think can go the distance with an Audience Choice award.

Reserve your spot today!

Funding Innovation: SBIR/STTR
Grant Writing Workshop

This workshop will provide an overview of the 2026 SBIR and STTR landscape. Participants will hear the latest updates and strategic insights on federal funding opportunities, including high‑level overviews of the SBIR/STTR program through the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of War (DoW), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), among other key government agencies. The morning session will break down current funding priorities, eligibility considerations, and how agencies evaluate proposals, giving attendees a clearer picture of where opportunities exist and how to position themselves competitively.