Financial Assistance to Small Businesses in the City of Miami Gardens

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Are you a business with five (5) employees or less? If so, you may be eligible to receive up to $10,000 in financial assistance from your local city government!

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Many businesses are suffering due to the economic downturn.  Small businesses have been hardest hit due to their inability to obtain bank loans for their operational needs.  The City of Miami Gardens wants to help!

If you are a small business located in Miami Gardens, the City wants to help you during these difficult economic times.  Hiring local residents can now put dollars in your pocket!  Funds received under this program can be used for: facade improvements, new signage, space expansion, working capital, and inventory; ultimately with the intent of helping the small business succeed.

City of Miami Gardens Councilman Andre Williams will host a small business loan program workshop and application drive on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers located at Miami Gardens City Hall, 1515 N.W. 167 Street, Miami Gardens, FL 33169. The purpose of this workshop will be to raise awareness about the City's program.  According to Councilman Williams, "We're suffering from 16% unemployment.  These loans will help small businesses create jobs to stop that trend."

To be eligible, the business must:

• Meet financial underwriting criteria
• Be a for profit business
• Be located in eligible census tract
• Hire low-income individuals
• Meet all applicable HUD

Business Demographic Data:

• 2,874 businesses registered within City
• Workplace population 50,649
• Per capita income $16,052
• Over $18M in market retail leakage

About City of Miami Gardens

The City of Miami Gardens was incorporated on May 13, 2003 as the 33rd city in Miami-Dade County. At a population of approximately 110,000, it is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County. Miami Gardens is a solid, working and middle class community of unique diversity. It is the largest predominantly African-American municipality in the State of Florida and boasts many Caribbean and Hispanic residents. The City recently hosted the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl and will host the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl™ and Super Bowl XLIV™. This is the second time that the City has hosted the Super Bowl under Mayor Shirley Gibson's Leadership.  Recently the City of Miami Gardens dropped 22 places from 13th in crimes being committed in metropolitan areas to 35th in the nation according to CQ Press of Washington, D.C., who publishes the annual Crime in Metropolitan American report. The City attributes this achievement to its successful implementation of its own Police Department.

To learn more about the City of Miami Gardens, go to www.miamigardens-fl.gov.

SOURCE City of Miami Gardens