{"id":35591,"date":"2021-05-17T10:25:16","date_gmt":"2021-05-17T14:25:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=35591"},"modified":"2021-10-20T09:57:30","modified_gmt":"2021-10-20T13:57:30","slug":"florida-sbdc-at-fiu-business-posts-record-level-of-assistance-for-small-businesses-to-recover-and-thrive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2021\/05\/florida-sbdc-at-fiu-business-posts-record-level-of-assistance-for-small-businesses-to-recover-and-thrive\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida SBDC at FIU Business posts record level of assistance for small businesses to recover and thrive."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Florida<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Florida SBDC at FIU Business<\/a>\u00a0(FSBDC) has increased its support to the small business community in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, getting funds into business owners\u2019 hands, developing strategies for recovery from the impact of COVID-19, and setting the stage for growth.<\/p>\n

Since January, the organization has secured $9.9 million in contracts and $30.3 million in capital for its growing number of clients, which now stands at 1,127 businesses.<\/p>\n

Jessica McClung launched Alpha Behavior Solutions, which provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and consultation services, in 2017 in Key West. Two years later she sought the services of the FSBDC, and Monroe County consultant Margie Smith helped her obtain an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never took business classes, never ran a business. I needed a lot of education,\u201d McClung said, adding that opening a stand-alone clinic would have never happened without the assistance. \u201cMy business would have crumbled. It has been a rocky road and now it\u2019s starting to do quite well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Consultants guide applicants to the best resources for them, explain the eligibility criteria, assist with applications, walk them through the review process, determine how to put the funds to their best use, and ensure they have the right plan to be successful.\u00a0 The center secured over $1 million in additional Federal and local funding to add 10 consultants to keep up with the record demand for services.<\/p>\n

In 2020, the center provided 20,088 hours of consulting services to more than 2,225 business owners. Both numbers represent records for the FSBDC, whose advisors normally provide 10,000 to 12,000 consulting hours and assist 1,000 clients per year.\u00a0 FSBDC at FIU\u2019s sister center, the\u00a0Eugenio Pino and Family Global Entrepreneurship Center<\/a>, hosted a record 70 training events with 4,260 attendees.<\/p>\n

For the full year, 2,225 businesses were assisted. Of those, 575 reported:<\/p>\n