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Florida SBDC Network Names Enterprise Florida As Outstanding Resource Partner for Its Support of Small Businesses

Aug 2015

The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state's principal provider of business assistance, has announced that Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is the recipient of its 2015 Outstanding Resource Partner of the Year award.

The award, given to an individual or organization for making significant contributions in serving the state's small businesses, was recently presented to Secretary Bill Johnson, President and CEO of EFI, on behalf of the organization by Florida SBDC CEO and Network State Director Michael Myhre.

EFI and Secretary Johnson join Florida First Capital and its President and CEO, Todd Kocourek, who was named the Florida SBDC Network's 2014 Outstanding Resource Partner of the Year.

EFI is a public-private partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida. EFI's mission is to expand and diversify the state's economy through job creation. In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Florida SBDC and EFI, in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service, offer a scholarship export assistance program to help businesses identify overseas growth strategies. Under the MOU, qualified "new and infrequent export" manufacturers and professional service providers have the opportunity to meet with a Florida SBDC International Trade Specialist to prepare a customized export marketing plan.

"Enterprise Florida is honored to be recognized as the Florida Outstanding Resource Partner of the Year," said Secretary Johnson. "A fundamental mission of EFI is to help our state's businesses expand and create jobs through finding new markets. Through our partnership with the Florida SBDC, small businesses are better equipped than ever to compete in the global marketplace."

Last year, Florida First Capital also executed an MOU with the Florida SBDC in an effort to advance economic development in Florida. Through the agreement, Florida First Capital and the Florida SBDC Network work in conjunction to help the state's small businesses obtain the necessary financing to expand and grow.

Florida First Capital, a non-profit Certified Development Company licensed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), provides financing via the SBA's 504 Loan Program for the purchase of major fixed assets, such as owner-occupied commercial real estate and long-life machinery and equipment. The Florida SBDC Network provides technical assistance to small business clients with SBA 504 Loan program application packages.

Florida First Capital also has a long standing relationship with EFI and is proud to have partnered with EFI in several small business and economic development programs over the years. Most recently, Florida First Capital was selected by the state to administer the 504 Bridge Loan Program, which is a sub component to Florida's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) under EFI's direction.

Congratulations to Secretary Johnson and EFI on being named the Florida SBDC's 2015 Outstanding Resource Partner of the Year and on a job well done!

To learn more about EFI, visit www.enterpriseflorida.com.

To learn more about the Florida SBDC Network, visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

For more information about the SBA 504 Loan Program in Florida or the 504 Bridge Loan Program,contact a Florida First Capital Loan Officer hereor email us atinfo@ffcfc.com. Phone: 850.681.3601 or toll-free at 888.320.5504.