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Delray Beach Dedicates May to Loving Local Small Businesses

Growing economic development team launches 4th annual campaign

· Delray Beach,Small Business,events

The Delray Beach City Commission declared last week May 2018 as “We [Heart] Small Biz Month” for the fourth consecutive year. The month-long campaign, spearheaded by the Delray Beach Office of Economic Development, and in partnership with the city’s economic development partner organizations, is part of the city’s effort to recognize the impact of small businesses on the local economy and overall community.

Because more than 93% of Delray Beach companies are small businesses that have 30 or fewer employees, the needs of small businesses are a significant consideration in the city’s overall economic development strategy. Throughout the month, the economic development team will host a series of activities and promotions designed to celebrate and support local small business.

“We’ve worked hard to create a robust network of partners that can support and assist businesses and entrepreneurs throughout our community,” said Economic Development Director Joan K. Goodrich. “It’s important that our small business owners know that they’re not alone, and that there is a whole ecosystem helping them startup, grow and thrive here in Delray Beach.”

The 2018 We [Heart] Small Biz Month initiative has grown to a collaborative of 16 partner organizations. Returning partners include the City of Delray Beach; the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency; the Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative; the Downtown Development Authority; the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce; the Delray Beach Public Library; the West Atlantic Redevelopment Coalition; the SBDC at FAU; the KTCHN; the Pineapple Grove Arts District; South Palm Beach SCORE; and the Center for Technology, Enterprise and Development. New partners include the Arts Warehouse, Delray GreenMarket, CareerSource Palm Beach County and Healthier Delray Beach.

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Scheduled activities include business planning and resource seminars, networking opportunities, a Mother’s Day shopping campaign, the new Frog Alley Caribbean Festival and Brain Break. Residents and visitors are also encouraged to show their love for local small businesses by visiting them, supporting their products and services, and posting about them on social media using the hashtag #SmallBizDelray throughout the month of May.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.WeHeartSmallBiz.org or call the Office of Economic Development at (561) 243-7009. OED is a joint office of the City of Delray Beach and the Delray Beach CRA. Services offered include site selection and relocation assistance; business grant and incentive opportunities; connections to community resources; small business and entrepreneurial support; workforce development; and business navigator services. The OED mission is to drive and inspire the growth of a diverse, vibrant, entrepreneurial economy for all.

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