OEV
Newsletter 

February 7, 2025

Introducing Direct Connect: Bridging the Gap Between General Contractors and MWBEs

The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) and Mega Ace Media are proud to present Direct Connect—an event designed to foster partnerships between general contractors and Black-owned businesses. As the first event of its kind from the organizers of the Black Business Expo Tallahassee, Direct Connect creates a direct line of communication, encouraging dialogue, integration, and meaningful business relationships.  

Why Direct Connect?

Opportunities in the construction industry continue to grow, and with them, the need for diverse, capable vendors who can contribute to major projects. Direct Connect serves as a platform where general contractors can meet face-to-face with Black business owners, forging partnerships that drive economic inclusion and open doors for future collaborations.

Power Forward Speaker Series Returns with AI Visionary Zack Kass

Next Wednesday, February 12, the 11th Annual Power Forward Speaker Series returns to Ruby Diamond Concert Hall to bring together local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an inspiring afternoon.

Presented by First Commerce Credit Union in partnership with the FSU Division of Research, this year’s event features Zack Kass, the former Head of Go-To-Market for OpenAI, the groundbreaking company behind ChatGPT. Kass played a key role in scaling OpenAI’s sales, partnerships, and solutions teams, and now advises some of the world’s leading companies on how to strategically leverage AI for growth and innovation.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or simply interested in the future of AI, this event offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into the evolving AI landscape and its impact on industries worldwide.

Power Forward Speaker Series featuring Zack Kass
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, 222 S Copeland St. (find on Google Maps) 

Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the foremost experts in artificial intelligence and learn how AI can transform your business and community!

Tallahassee MSA’s Private Sector Productivity Climbs 9% Since 2018, Continuing Upward Trend

The broadest proxy for Productivity in metropolitan areas is to measure the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of private industries per private sector employee. GDP per employee (or Value Added) is calculated by dividing private sector GDP by total private employment. GDP figures are in inflation-adjusted (chained 2017) dollars. Productivity in the Tallahassee metro area was up 3% in 2023 compared to 2022. Productivity increases have occurred each year since 2018, with a total rise of nearly 9% from 2018 to 2023, despite the reductions in both private sector GDP and private sector employment that occurred in 2020. Annual changes in productivity for the Tallahassee metro area have fluctuated between a low of -3.7% in 2012-2013 to a high of 5.4% during 2001-2002.

Sources: US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis; Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics.

Notable News

Keith Bowers: Tallahassee-Leon County: Leading the way in job growth

Keith Bowers
Tallahassee Democrat

Florida’s manufacturing dominance continues to flourish

Andrew Powell
Florida Politics

‘Prepare for tremendous change’: Power Forward speaker Zach Kass speaks on AI, evolving technology

WCTV

Upcoming Opportunities
from Our Partners

Lunch & Learn: Understanding Early Stage Fundraising Instruments and Incentive Equity Awards

This Lunch & Learn session will focus on understanding the vocabulary and key terms of common types of documents used in seed financing, including Simple Agreements for Future Equity (or SAFEs), convertible notes, and preferred stock. We will also cover the various types of incentive equity awards start-ups use to help recruit and retain talent, including option awards, profits interests, stock awards and phantom equity. Gain insights into how these agreements impact governance, fundraising strategy, founder dilution and team motivation.

Perfect for founders, executives, angel investors and anyone looking to navigate equity-based compensation and investment structures with confidence.

AI in Entrepreneurship: Unlocking Innovation with Technology

Join us for an impactful session on how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping entrepreneurship! Learn from Logan Higuera, founder of OpenOcean, as he shares insights on using AI and technology to streamline processes and drive business success. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this webinar offers practical tools and a fresh mindset for leveraging AI in your business.

Key Takeaways:

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!