Small Business Information Hub

Welcome Entrepreneurs, Early Stage Companies, and Small Businesses

The City of Miramar has several resources for entrepreneurs. This Small Business Information Hub is designed to highlight where to start, no matter what stage of business you're in, with a focus on sources for businesses located in the United States. Each topical page features a few recommended free websites and databases. Additionally, we've included links to our in-depth research guides and strategies for solving your business information needs.

Most of the sources are only online, although your local public or academic library may also have access to the material. If you plan to speak and/or meet with one of our Economic Development staff to discuss your plans in greater detail, schedule a One-On-One at our Get-Help Disk.

  1. Small Business Resources
  2. COVID-19 RESOURCES
  3. Plan Your Business
  4. Finance Your Business
  5. Find a Location
  6. Opening a New Business
  7. Market Your Business
  8. Grow The Business
  9. Exit Your Business

The 

South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC)

is a regional planning and public agency whose mission is to work with South Florida’s public, private, non-profit and civic leadership to create a better future for South Florida. They provide administrative and staff support for several regional partnerships and programs. One of the program areas of success is the Revolving Loan Fund Programs. These programs offer low-interest rate loans to small and medium size businesses that are not entirely served by conventional lenders. Loans ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 are available to profitable businesses for business expansion and job creation. To be eligible for a loan with the SFRPC, the business must be located within Miami-Dade, Broward or Monroe counties and have been denied financing by a conventional lender. The funds can be used to buy equipment, finance inventory, renovate or buy space, or provide needed working capital. For additional information, please visit http://sfregionalcouncil.org/.

Prospera 

is a nonprofit organization specialized in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their business. They offer a variety of services especially designed for Hispanic small business owners, to empower them through training, consulting, grants and access to capital. Prospera is able to serve entrepreneurs and the community--without charging for its services--thanks to investments in its mission by generous corporations, individuals and government agencies. Clients receive assistance from in-house business consultants, subcontracted experts, workshop presenters, and volunteers from various industries who serve on advisory committees. They also offer access to a network of corporate sponsors, government funders and financial institutions with a desire to support small and minority-owned businesses. For additional information, please visit http://www.prosperausa.org/.

ACCION

is a microfinance organization that lends with the mission of empowering business owners with access to working capital and financial education. This is different from a bank or credit union. It is a recognized leader in small business lending offering business loans up to $50,000 and financial education throughout the United States. For additional information, please visit http://accionnews.org/miami/.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

is an independent agency of the federal government created to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of the nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SBA provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses that have been specifically designed to meet key financing needs, including debt financing, surety bonds, and equity financing. For additional information, please visit https://www.sba.gov/.

Small Business Development Center of Fort Lauderdale (SBDC)

is part of a statewide service network funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA, accredited by the national Association of SBDCs and hosted by the University of West Florida. They offer one-on-one consultation with trained and experienced business consultants that will help with: international market planning, export market planning, government contracting development and strategic business planning. For additional information, please visit http://sbdcfortlauderdale.org/.

Creation Station

is Broward County Library’s group of co-working spaces offering free public access to meeting rooms, high-tech equipment, business resources and expert assistance for creating and growing your business. Creation Stations are located at libraries throughout the county and include a business co-working hub, gadget lab, U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, science lab and music studio equipped with a sound room and engineering booth. Users may access various state-of-the-art prototyping tools such as 3D printers and virtual reality equipment as well as special features including audio/video production and videoconferencing gear. Business seminars and computer classes are also available. For additional information, please visit https://www.broward.org/Library/Pages/CreationStation.aspx


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