OEV
Newsletter 

August 4, 2023

Come Celebrate National Black Business Month with Us!

We have partnered with the Capital City Chamber of Commerce and several other organizations, including Florida Commerce, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the FAMU Career and Professional Development Center, and the FAMU Innovation Center to celebrate National Black Business Month. We extend a warm invitation for you to join us in exploring both current and upcoming business resources in the community.

Details:

Monday, August 7
8:00 – 9:30 AM

Parkview at Cascades 
414 E. Bloxham St. Tallahassee, FL 32301

Find a Black-Owned Business

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!

Learn how You Can Participate in Local Projects Valued at Over $100 Million

Join us on Thursday, August 17, at the Renaissance Center for the fifth installment of our MWSBE Academy series, DBE Projects & Certifications: Part 1. This session is the first of a two-part series that will provide an overview of the over $100 million in Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) projects from FDOT District 3, the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency, and the Tallahassee International Airport. 

Recognizing there is a shortage of available DBE-certified firms, we are offering this course to optimize the availability of firms within our market area before these opportunities are solicited to outside vendors. Part two, offered online on August 21, will cover the DBE Certification process.

Please share this information with other entrepreneurs and businesses who might benefit from this program. If you have any questions, call us at (850) 300-7562. Looking forward to having you there!

Details

Thursday, August 17
5:30 – 7 PM

Renaissance Center
435 North Macomb St.

DataTALKS: 2022 Annual Economic Review

OEV's Business Intelligence Division presents DataTALKS: 2022 Annual Economic Review. The Annual Economic Review is a 1-year and 5-year retrospective of the same indicators featured in the Quarterly Economic Dashboard. Annual data gives a wider context than quarterly updates, enabling the evaluation of long-term strategic objectives.

Michael Cork Inspires Change
Through ForbesBLK

Michael Cork is a highly accomplished entrepreneur in Tallahassee whose creative talents span a diverse range of fields. As a photographer, designer, videographer, director, producer, public relations consultant, and CEO of MACORK SOLUTIONS, Cork possesses an impressive list of multifaceted credentials.

Cork was recently accepted into the prestigious ForbesBLK community and feels deeply humbled and honored. ForbesBLK is a global community with the mission to empower and elevate Black entrepreneurs and creators. With over 15 years of experience, Cork attributes the longevity, consistency, and strong branding throughout his career as pivotal factors in his acceptance into this admirable community. 

Within ForbesBLK, Cork gains access to exclusive chats and social media platforms that enable him to connect with like-minded and driven individuals worldwide. Cork is eager to collaborate and share ideas with others and access new opportunities. Cork plans to inspire and uplift his local community by sharing his knowledge and experiences in ForbesBLK. He hopes to motivate others and create pathways to opportunities they might not have accessed otherwise. 

Cork’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals is to “do it.” Cork believes that opportunities arise once the journey begins and plans are implemented. Drawing from personal experience, Cork urges small businesses and entrepreneurs to engage with the Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) to discover opportunities and essential tools for career expansion. Cork credits OEV with introducing him to invaluable resources, and he urges others to take full advantage of the organization's support. 

Notable News

Small Business Lending Is About to Change with Simpler Requirements

Our Take: The SBA overhaul aims to streamline lending processes, increasing accessibility for small businesses to receive loans and boosting economic growth.

Florida officials are testing new technology that turns algae into fertilizer

Our Take: Exploring technologies that convert algae into fertilizer could lead to a more sustainable agricultural industry—contributing to economic and environmental benefits.

Upcoming Opportunities
from Our Partners

How Would  YOU Advance Tallahassee? 

Use TalChamber's anonymous online submission portal to share what you think matters most as we raise our families, expand our businesses, and build our region.