ANALYSIS:
The City of Miami Beach is committed to investing and supporting the local small and legacy business community, and has a history of working with local businesses by issuing various incentives. Currently, the City waives concurrency fees and sidewalk café permit fees for North Beach establishments to help ease the financial burden for these businesses. Previously, the City received funds from the federal program, Community Development Block Grant, to support economic development and infrastructure improvements for small businesses. Staff is currently researching other incentive programs which may have historically been offered through the City to support small businesses and will present any further information at the Committee meeting.
During the March 17, 2017 Neighborhoods and Community Affairs Committee, Administration discussed a legacy business registry initiative. The purpose of such a program is to identify and recognize certain small businesses within a community as historic assets in order to preserve neighborhood character. Through this program, the City would make available grant funding that would be directed to property owners/landlords of declared legacy businesses (please find full project description and memo in the attachments). The Committee approved this item and requested it be discussed at the May 2017 Commission meeting. This item was deferred until further notice.
Currently, through the division of economic development, staff offers one-on-one business coaching sessions and informational meetings with current and prospected businesses upon their request. There is also a new business guide which presents the pathway for individuals to start a new business and navigate the City permit process (this resource is offered digitally and in print form). Additionally, through the new website several tutorials and resources have been made available to help inform the Miami Beach business community.