strategic business plan: fy 2014-2016 to a bright future for broward county’s business ......

Board of County Commissioners Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD)

Strategic Business Plan: FY 2014-2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR ..................................... 2

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................. 5

A. OESBD Mission Statement............................................ 5

B. OESBD Connection to Commission's Vision ....................... 6

C. OESBD Key Focus Areas .............................................. 7

D. OESBD Noteworthy Accomplishments ............................. 8

III. ORGANIZATION PROFILE ............................................ 12

A. OESBD Mandates ...................................................... 12

B. OESBD Delegated Authority ........................................ 15

C. OESBD Lines of Business ............................................ 16

D. OESBD Customer/Stakeholder Profile ............................ 18

E. OESBD Organizational Chart ....................................... 20

IV. CASE FOR ACTION ................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

B. OESBD Work Plans for Business Plan Strategies ................ 22

V. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW ............................................... 24

VI. APPENDICES ........................................................... 29

A. Delegated Authority Detail ......................................... 29

B. OESBD Work Plans by Section ...................................... 30

Economic Development ............................................. 31

Certification – Local Programs (CBE / SBE) ...................... 37

Certification – Federal Programs (DBE / ACDBE) ............... 39

Compliance ............................................................ 41

Community Relations and Outreach (CRO) ...................... 43

Office of Economic and Small Business Development 2 [October 2013]

I. MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR As the Director of the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD), I thank our office staff for their perseverance and determination in completing this Business Plan, a document that reflects great efforts already undertaken, and a commitment to a bright future for Broward County’s business community. Countless hours have been spent assessing our office’s origins and operations, acknowledging internal and external shortfalls and obstacles, and reviewing pertinent documents and reports, such as reports from the Broward County Office of the Inspector General, the County’s 2010 Disparity Study, and most recently, the county’s Business Opportunity Act and associated procedures. As the new Director, I recognize that many changes have occurred during this period and in the past 18 months; many of those changes are now reflective of how we do business differently. There has been a shift in the focus of the office, the role of sections of the office, and the relationship between our group and other County agencies, external partners who join us in providing resources and services, and the customers we serve - primarily entrepreneurs and small businesses. This has been for the betterment of all concerned. The Business Plan as presented is also a snapshot of how staff recognizes their role in the success of countywide economic development. I began in my role as Director by asking the office staff to describe how they saw the office through their eyes, through the eyes of County Administration, the Board of County Commissioners, Community Partner and most importantly our customers. This led to a realization that there was a great chance for the office to provide more of the function of its name – a small business development program, rather than only providing the services for which we have been known, which are those of a small business opportunity resource. Seeking to provide for the development of small business is our best “first” option. In keeping with fulfillment of this realization, we have begun in all facets of our operation to look for ways to support small business development. Our current plan requires that we constantly look at our daily activities and ask the question: “Do my actions and procedures support or hinder the growth of small business?” This question will be asked not only of the OESBD but of all county agencies and external partners, including the Small Business Development Advisory Board, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Broward College, Workforce One, the various chambers of commerce and others. We all have a role to play in the support and development of small business in Broward County. The County Commission’s intent and County Administrator’s direction are clear. The mission of the Office of Economic and Small Business Development is to stimulate economic development by attracting, retaining and expanding targeted industries, including a special focus on small business growth, and thereby, enhance the quality of


Broward County OESBD Strategic Business Plan FY 2014-2016

life for Broward County residents and visitors. The mission as stated includes more than just opportunities that are made available through County procurement. Federal programs and international trade are ways to support small business and grow our economy that will benefit our small business community in considerable and meaningful ways. We must now focus more on developing and creating capacity and providing resources to our small businesses to position them to take advantage of the opportunities we have, as well as those beyond Broward County. In order to accomplish this, we must first address barriers and challenges to small businesses. One major barrier is the extent to which they have access to insurance and bonding credit; limitations in this regard diminish businesses’ ability to engage in contracting opportunities. Risk management practices must enable access, opportunity and inclusion for all businesses – prime and subcontractors alike. Failure to address such issues results in a potential loss of cost-savings and the multiplier effect of local economic benefit. Removal of these barriers and others – such as project unbundling, timely payments and the management of risk – provide for effective avenues of engaging diverse businesses, opening new prospects and improving local commerce. To further support our small business development efforts, OESBD’s outreach section is providing more technical assistance and procurement navigation, continued workshops with featured topics such as Ask the Agency Director and Building A Stellar Team, and implementing a mentor-protégé program, while the economic development section will focus on guiding local firms in growing beyond Broward County opportunities. OESBD is intent on continuing to examine the parity of county procurement, and will conduct an interim evaluation of contracting outcomes since the county’s 2010 disparity study. Using a methodology similar to that employed by the study consultant, OESBD will review participation on a representative sample of projects from each fiscal year in the supervening period to determine whether there has been a trend, positive or negative, in the institutional tendency of the county’s procurement operations to support the minority/women-owned business community. The goal will be to explore whether direct and indirect purchasing proceeds in a manner commensurate with the representation of these business communities in our normal market area, relative to issues such as capacity, and whether the county’s current race-neutral programs are having the intended effect of supporting all small businesses in a fair and representative manner. It is anticipated that this interim review effort will be completed by spring 2014 timeframe. As Director of OESBD, I am committed to supporting the growth and development of small business in Broward County and to working with County agencies and external partners to assure that we are all, daily, providing support that grows small business.



OESBD staff holds this task as our greatest responsibility. I thank our staff for their assistance in creating this document, but more importantly for their acceptance of this new challenge: the development of small business and the removal of obstacles, in support of small businesses in Broward County. The future is bright for OESBD. Sandy-Michael McDonald, Director Office of Economic and Small Business Development



II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The business of Broward County Government is to deliver cost-effective and collaborative services to enhance and promote the quality of life for our residents, businesses and visitors.

A. OESBD Mission Statement The Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) is primarily responsible for enhancing the economy of Broward County by recruiting new industry, supporting existing industries, and creating new value-added employment opportunities for residents. The office promotes job growth, diversifies the County's industrial mix, and expands the local tax base. OESBD works closely with key partners to accomplish its mission. OESBD is differentiated from other similarly situated governmental units by its unique focus on the role of small business development in the economic success and long-term stability of the county. This focus has sustained the county’s small business community, which is considerable both in overall number of small businesses and proportion of small businesses to medium and large businesses. The mission of the OESBD is to stimulate economic development by attracting, retaining and expanding targeted industries, including a special focus on small business growth, and thereby, enhance the quality of life for Broward County residents and visitors.



B. OESBD Connection to Commission's Vision

Vision Statement: Broward County is the perfect place to start, grow and diversify business with a supportive government environment. The County’s economy thrives as a multi-faceted international community that offers well-playing jobs, and a highly-educated, skilled and motivated workforce. Job opportunities are abundant and diverse. We maximize regional, national and global partnerships through innovative technology, use of economic tools, and targeted resources. Our airport, seaport and tourism will continue as significant economic engines for Broward County. OESBD directly supports the County Commission’s vision statement, "Unlimited Economic Opportunities," in these respects:

Goal 1: Attract and retain targeted industries and other high-wage businesses through public and private partnerships.

Goal 2: Create economic opportunities by cultivating local small business

enterprises within Broward County. Goal 3: Increase the economic strength and impact of Port Everglades, the

Broward County Convention Center and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in a sustainable manner balancing economy, environment and the community.

Goal 4: Increase the economic impact of tourism by selling, promoting and

marketing the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County area as a premier destination for visitors and meetings.

Goal 5: Become the center for trade in Florida to the world, especially the

Caribbean, South and Central America and Asia.



OESBD partners with major Broward County departments to leverage and reinforce economic development opportunities for small business as well provides new revenue sources for other quality of life projects and programs. Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale International Hollywood Airport, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau are just a few key engines that drive additional economic and business development activity for small business and job creation. The Purchasing Division is a primary partner to OESBD for the implementation of the small business program and economic development. Through the use of the County Business Enterprise (CBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) certification programs, opportunities are created directly to support the stabilization and growth of small business in Broward County.

C. OESBD Key Focus Areas 1) Managing and reporting activity related to target industry recruitment and the

retention and expansion of existing business

2) Quarterly Reporting on Economic Impacts

3) Broadening small business development resources and opportunities including supporting entrepreneurial development and training

4) Pushing businesses beyond Broward County by creating and developing more

economic opportunities through International Trade and encouraging the participation of local firms

5) Enhancing small business participation in the Broward County procurement

process by developing, implementing and advocating best practices and removing barriers

6) Stabilizing and growing the economic viability for Unincorporated Central

Broward County and special development districts, including corridor development and industrial / warehouse areas



D. OESBD Noteworthy Accomplishments

Over the past 18 months, OESBD has achieved a number of key accomplishments. A new community relations and outreach section was formed to encourage collaboration with the local business community. OESBD offered numerous seminars, workshops and other educational opportunities. Through this effort, the small business community has been made aware of opportunities and programs offered by OESBD which has resulted in a better understanding of how to become certified as well as how to participate effectively in the county procurement process. The improved “How to do Business with Broward County” workshop series now features topical guest speakers and draws increasing audiences. The workshops are offered throughout the County at locations in each of the commission districts on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. Scheduling the workshops outside of normal business hours, at times convenient to business owners is an effort to reach the widest audience possible. Future programs will be tailored to specific topics to support and grow participation of existing small businesses that for a variety of reasons are not taking full advantage of the program and procurement opportunities. The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), in partnership with Broward County Aviation and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, conducted a forum that established powerful business connections between local small, minority and women-owned businesses and key decision makers on airport capital improvement and infrastructure projects. This forum included prime contractors, consultants, project managers, procurement officers and others. The Compliance section was acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General, who recently commended our efforts for meeting and exceeding the assigned DBE goals on two awarded south runway expansion aviation projects. Also mentioned, was Broward County’s exceptional utilization of DBE firms which comprised of new and existing firms compared to other nationwide programs. These accolades are attributed to extensive outreach activity specifically targeting non-certified, certified and certifiable firms by which we prepared them to be ready, willing and able firms for the proposed opportunity. OESBD has been approached by the Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program to be part of their project to develop a “best practice” guidebook to assist airports in promoting opportunities to diverse businesses. “A Guidebook for Increasing Diverse and Small Business Participation in Airport Business Opportunities” is a Federal Aviation Administration-funded research project.



The review process for small businesses seeking certification for small business programs was enhanced. With the addition of three new staff members, the process for reviewing and rendering decisions on applications for certification has been reduced from as long as 60 days to averaging approximately 30 days for the local program. There has been increased integration between the certification, compliance, and community outreach sections to target specific industries when upcoming projects present opportunities for firms whose services may be underrepresented in our certified business database. County staff is working closely with its economic development community partners to ensure the success of the County’s economic development ventures and to establish Broward County as a Six Pillars community, a statewide framework to effectively plan for economic growth. The Broward County Economic Development Partnership, which consists of Broward County, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and the County’s 31 municipalities, coordinated efforts that resulted in the retention of 2,111 jobs. A direct capital investment of $30 million in Exempt Facilities Bonds was facilitated at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport for the upgrade of the airport’s fuel delivery system. Over the last 18 months, the Partnership reported activities resulting in a projected capital investment of more than $253 million. In the area of entrepreneurial and small business development, as of February 2013, OESBD has become an affiliate of the Kauffman Foundation FastTrac® Entrepreneur Development Program. The Kauffman Foundation, established over 40 years ago, is internationally recognized as one of the leading foundations for the promotion of entrepreneurism, and sponsors programs focused on urban, minority and woman entrepreneurship, global business development, and entrepreneur research. The FastTrac® Entrepreneur Development Program provides business development curricula designed to meet the needs of a wide array of aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners. Members of the OESBD staff have received training by the Kauffman Foundation, and are certified by Kauffman to facilitate FastTrac® workshops and courses. Workshop offerings offered by the OESBD through the FastTrac® Program include:

• The Intentional Entrepreneur™ Workshop – The Intentional Entrepreneur™ is a 2-3 hour

workshop that guides participants through the process of new business consideration, exploration and planning. The interactive workshop provides tools to examine both the emotional and practical aspects of business ownership, giving participants the opportunity to take a closer look at the entrepreneurial process before making the decision to launch their own enterprise.



• Listening To Your Business™ Workshop – Listening To Your Business™ is a 3-4 hour workshop that guides existing business owners through the process of examining their business and planning for its future. The workshop provides attendees with tools to visualize their business in the future, formulate an internal plan to establish goals, and identify resources to help them attain those goals.

• NewVenture™ - NewVenture™ is designed specifically for entrepreneurs in the early

stages of business development, FastTrac® NewVenture™ is a 10-week, 3 hour per week, highly-intensive module-based training geared to assist prospective entrepreneurs with developing a solid business plan. The curriculum takes participants step-by-step through development of each section of the business plan.

The new affiliation with the Kauffman Foundation enables OESBD to provide entrepreneurial training at different stages of business development, from aspiring entrepreneurs who have an idea for a new business to those that have an existing business and are positioned for growth. The program allows the OESBD to provide increased direct technical support to certified firms as they pursue opportunities for growth and expansion beyond those offered through County procurement. FastTrac® offers a comprehensive set of resources to help start and grow successful businesses. Through the program, over 90 aspiring Broward County entrepreneurs and existing small businesses have received classroom-style direct technical assistance and instruction in preparing for the launch of a new business venture or the expansion of their existing business. On the global business development front, Broward County participated in international trade missions to Bogota, Colombia, and Santiago, Chile, resulting in positive results for Broward County firms and the County overall. OESBD is currently drafting a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santiago and Broward County to continue dialogue that began during the mission regarding the sharing of best practices in municipal governance. In August 2013, OESBD launched a three-part Export Readiness Seminar with an average of 70 attendees per session. The sessions were videotaped for the purpose of posting online for more companies to take advantage of the information. In collaboration with Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Commercial Service, OESBD introduced a new workshop series, entitled “Florida Export Opportunities”, through which international offices from Enterprise Florida or the U.S. Commercial Service visit Broward County to present opportunities in the country they serve. To date, OESBD has conducted the series with South Africa, Germany, and Mexico.



OESBD also introduced the “Internationalization Program” whereby foreign businesses participating in an inbound mission to Broward County learn about opportunities to start and grow their business in one of the County’s business incubators to then export to international markets. This program is unique to the United States as Broward County represents the gateway to Latin America, the Caribbean and other parts of the world. This year, OESBD presented the program to inbound delegations from Canada and Spain. Broward County also hosted the Colombian Mayors’ Business Delegation in 2012, an inbound trade mission of 13 mayors, ministry secretaries, and business leaders from Florida’s second largest trading partner. The mission identified trade opportunities for the delegation and Broward County businesses. Since February 2013, 52 corporate visits have been conducted to inform firms of Enterprise Zone benefits. As a result, tax credits issued to Enterprise Zone businesses have increased 90% over 2012 levels.



III. ORGANIZATION PROFILE

A. OESBD Mandates The OESBD program comprises an integrated set of strategic activities designed to attract and retain targeted industry businesses, stimulate high skill/high wage job creation, attract capital investment, and increase the capacity of small businesses to grow and exploit new market opportunities. The program addresses the ongoing community need for a diversified county economy that creates new high skill/high wage employment, growing the local tax base and keeping the cost of County services low to residents and businesses. Specific strategic program areas for Economic and Small Business Development include: (1) Business Attraction, Expansion and Retention; (2) International Business Development; (3) Entrepreneurial Training and Development; (4) Capital Access and Special Zones; (5) Strengthening support for small business participation in County procurement; (6) Providing technical assistance and resources to support small businesses. The program works in two basic areas of operation – general economic development, and small business development relative to the county’s procurement program. The small business-related programs are administered according to their respective Broward County Ordinance or applicable Federal regulations. As a recipient of Federal funding, Broward County must have a program that meets the requirements promulgated by the Federal government. Broward County maintains DBE and ACDBE Program Plans which further define the County's implementation of the federal regulations governing U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant funding.



Source Regulation

Federal

• Participation by Small Business Enterprises [United States Code, Title 23 –

HIGHWAYS, Chapter 3 – General Provisions, Section 304 (23 U.S.C. 304)] • Prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex [United States Code, Title 23 –

HIGHWAYS, Chapter 3 – General Provisions, Section 324 (23 U.S.C. 324)] • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Prohibition against exclusion from

participation in, denial of benefits of, and discrimination under federally assisted programs on ground of race, color, or national origin [United States Code, Title 42 – THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, Chapter 21 Civil Rights, Subchapter V – Federally Assisted Programs, 2000d (Title VI, 42 U.S.C. 2000d, et seq.)]

• Project grant application approval conditioned on assurances about airport operations [United States Code, Title 49 – TRANSPORTATION, Chapter 471 – Airport Development, Subchapter I – Airport Improvement, Section 47107 (49 U.S.C. 47107)]

• Minority and disadvantaged business participation [United States Code, Title 49 – TRANSPORTATION, Chapter 471 – Airport Development, Subchapter I – Airport Improvement, Section 47113 (49 U.S.C. 47113)]

• Nondiscrimination [United States Code, Title 49 – TRANSPORTATION, Chapter 471 – Airport Development, Subchapter I – Airport Improvement, Section 47123 (49 U.S.C. 47123)] implemented under 49 CFR 26;

• General Powers [United States Code, Title 49 – TRANSPORTATION, Chapter 3 – General Duties and Powers, Subchapter II – Administrative, Section 322 (49 U.S.C. 322)]

• Executive Order 12138 – Creating a National Women’s Business Enterprise Policy and prescribing arrangements for developing, coordinating and implementing a national program for women’s business enterprise, implemented under 49 CFR 23

• Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs [Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 – Transportation, Subtitle A – Office of the Secretary of Transportation, Part 26 (49 CFR 26)]

• Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Airport Concessions [Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 – Transportation, Subtitle A – Office of the Secretary of Transportation, Part 23 (49 CFR 23)]

State • Tax refund program for qualified target industry businesses (Florida Statute

288.106) • Florida Enterprise Zone Act (Florida Statute 290) • Florida Enterprise Zone Jobs Credit (Florida Statute 220.181)



County

• Broward County Job Growth and Economic Development Incentives Act of 2011 • Broward County International Trade and Investment Policy Plan adopted by the

Board of County Commissioners in 2006 • Broward County Business Opportunity Act of 2012



B. OESBD Delegated Authority

Source Delegated Program OESBD Section

USDOT FAA* FTA*

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Plan, 49 CFR 26

Compliance and Federal Certification

USDOT FAA*

Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program Plan, 49 CFR 23

Compliance and Federal Certification

FDOT* Florida Unified Certification Program (UCP), pursuant to 49 CFR Parts 23 and 26

Federal Certification

FDEO

Enterprise Zone Act Economic Development

FDEO

Incentives Economic Development

*See page 57 for more information



C. OESBD Lines of Business

OESBD has two lines of business – general economic development and small business development.

37%

63%

EconomicDevelopmentSmall BusinessDevelopment

The OESBD is comprised of the following sections: • Economic Development

o Business Attraction, Expansion and Retention o Public-Private Sector Partnerships o Entrepreneurship Programs o Special Development Districts o Industrial Revenue and Exempt Facility Bond Programs o Emergency Service Function 18 o International Trade

• Small Business Development

o Certification Local Federal

o Compliance o Community Relations and Outreach*

NOTE: The chart indicates the percentage of the agency annual budget allotted to each line of business.



*The Community Relations and Outreach (CRO) section is presented as part of Small Business Development according to the proposed FY 2014 budget; however, it is the responsibility of CRO to market and brand OESBD in its entirety based on the needs of economic development and small business development. CRO markets, promotes, advocates and trains small business clients for each of the agency’s lines of business. CRO will begin to market and promote activities related to economic development in addition to the assignment of our public-private partner, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. One key role of CRO is strengthening opportunities of existing businesses, through data, Disparity Study recommendations, Inspector General Report, best practices and daily operations.



D. OESBD Customer/Partners Profile Small business, aspiring entrepreneurs, niche markets, targeted industries, emerging sector businesses, CBE, SBE, DBE, ACDBE and Federal SBE firms are all customers of OESBD. Partners for the programs include County government, local municipalities, County residents and the Small Business Development Advisory Board, which represents the larger small business community. OESBD assists Broward County communities, entrepreneurs, private and non-profit businesses, and targeted industries with education and outreach necessary to raise internal and external awareness of various services available and to connect them to resources that will support the growth of small business in Broward County. Customers and partners all expect leveraging of county resources through OESBD to demonstrate a Return on Investment (ROI) that will grow a stronger county, by supporting small business. OESBD’s Small Business Program is one way of supporting and creating opportunities for its customers as well as demonstrating to its partners a commitment to increasing the County’s tax base and by creating more jobs reducing unemployment.



Small

Business Development

Advisory Board

Government Agencies

Greater Fort Lauderdale

Alliance

Non-profit Partnering

Organizations

International Businesses

Businesses Interested in

Relocating into Broward County

Local

Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Small

Businesses and Certified

Firms

Targeted Industries

Private and

Public Partnering

Organizations

Prime Contractors

Underutilized Markets

Local

Business Community

Office of Economic and

Small Business

Development

Customer / Partner Profile Graphic



E. OESBD Organizational Chart

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

FY 2013 ORGANIZATION CHART



IV. Case for action

A. OESBD Work Plans for Business Plan Strategies [Key Focus Area(s):] Economic Development [SMART Goals:] Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound 1) Facilitate the growth of at least eight certified firms over the next three years. 2) Analyze and assess data as identified in the 2010 Disparity Study to make a determination if disparate treatment exists and where over three

years. 3) Establish and implement the mentor protégé program, then enroll eight firms over the next three years.

Actions Indicator of Success/Progress

Baseline (as of)

3-Yr Target

1-Yr Target

Start Date

End Date

Responsible Party

Create Pre-assessment analysis and

measurement tools to measure growth

To have at least 25% of the Kauffman participants

graduate 0 8

Identify 20 stage-one

certified firms 10/1/2013 9/30/2016

Economic Development (Supported by Certification)

Collect voluntary demographics on

applicants

To create a database of volunteered information

similar to the data collected for the federal certification programs

0

Screen 500 certification

applications for the local programs

Review Disparity Study

and assessment of first 150 firms

1/1/2014 12/31/2017

Certification - Local

(Supported by OESBD)



Identify firms to participate as mentors

and protégés, local organizations and

financial institutions as partners/ participants; write MOUs; Kick off

mentor protégé program

Approval by the Board of County Commissioners; Launch of the program; Successfully match and

graduate 50% of the protégés

0

15 mentors; 10 protégés; 4

financial institution partners

7 mentors; 6 protégés; 2

financial institution partners

10/1/2013 9/30/2016 Community

Relations and Outreach


V. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW Agencies that rely on property tax dollars for funding will continue to have their five-year forecast update completed by the Office of Management and Budget as part of the five-year forecast update for the Board’s annual pre-budget workshop. To view this information, please refer to the current fiscal year’s pre-budget workshop report for General Fund agencies. Current fiscal year reporting is reflected below. Admin 0225000

FY11 Actual

FY12 Actual FY13

FY13 Modified FY14 Budget

PERSONAL SERVICES

1120 - Oth Exec Sal

264,660

129,067

267,740

275,770

277,240

1200 - Reg Salaries

288,312

271,255

259,960

267,760

362,830

1311 - Sal W/O Ben - -

20,900

20,900 20,900

2100 - Fica Taxes

37,163

27,464

39,020

40,190 47,470

2200 - Ret Contrib

54,049

18,922

34,560

35,600 63,350

2310 - Group Ins

62,520

64,971

67,550

65,250 76,800

2313 - Basic Life 400 296

460 460 520

2400 - Workers Comp

3,460

6,930

3,680

3,680 4,220

10 - Pers Serv

710,563

518,904

693,870

709,610

853,330

OPERATING EXPENSES

4040 - Auto Allow

5,400

1,800

5,880

5,880 5,880

4510 - Self Insur 330 570

410 410 300 NONPROFIT

30 - Operat Exp

5,730

2,370

6,290

6,290 6,180 CAPITAL OUTLAY

DEBT SERVICE

TRANSFERS OUT

RESERVES

TOTEXP - Tot Exp

716,293

521,274

700,160

715,900

859,510 POS - Pos Count - 7 7 - 8 FTE - FTE 7 7 7 - 8


Economic Development 0225003

PY2ACT PY1ACT CYBUD CYMODBUD BUDGETROUND

PERSONAL SERVICES

1200 - Reg Salaries

358,992

301,652

381,480

392,920 378,420

2100 - Fica Taxes

26,746

22,451

29,180

30,060 28,950

2200 - Ret Contrib

34,521

14,781

20,330

20,940 26,300

2310 - Group Ins

44,660

46,408

48,250

46,610 48,000

2313 - Basic Life 255 249

330 330 330

2400 - Workers Comp 540 400

380 380 290

10 - Pers Serv

465,715

385,940

479,950

491,240 482,290

OPERATING EXPENSES

3400 - Contract Svc

14,925 -

10,880

7,580 10,880

3401 - Con Svc-Temp

2,838

17,235

4,350

4,350 4,350

3411 - Con Svc-Rec

2,274 554

26,520

26,520 26,520

4000 - Travel/Diem

33,065

17,839

35,160

35,160 35,160

4001 - Bus Trav

5,928

1,173

5,790

5,790 5,790

4010 - Education

1,799

1,302

2,170

2,170 2,170

4030 - Motor Pool 834

1,375

350 350 230 4040 - Auto Allow 400 68 - - -

4130 - Tel Alloc Ch 689 504

690 690 520

4155 - ComDvc-Wless

4,793

3,252

4,800

4,800 3,250

4240 - Postage 208 8

390 390 390

4420 - Rent Equip

1,040 -

1,090

1,090 1,090

4510 - Self Insur 280 410

330 330 240

4700 - Ext Print 16 -

1,090

1,090 1,090 4701 - Int Print 45 - 870 870


870

4800 - Promotional -

1,000

550 550 550

4801 - Demo Supplys - -

550 550 550

4830 - Advertising - -

1,090

1,090 1,090

5100 - Office Supp

4,836

2,728

5,440

5,440 5,440

5101 - Off Eq <1000 207 523

590 590 590

5420 - Dues & Memb

3,720

2,110

2,170

5,975 2,170

5430 - Subscription 751

1,617

1,640

1,135 1,640

5500 - Misc Exp

14,177 545

550 550 550 NONPROFIT

30 - Operat Exp

92,825

52,243

107,060


DEBT SERVICE

TRANSFERS OUT

RESERVES

TOTEXP - Tot Exp

558,540

438,183

587,010

598,300 587,420 POS - Pos Count - 5 5 - 5 FTE - FTE 5 5 5 - 5

Small Business 0227010

PY2ACT PY1ACT CYBUD CYMODBUD BUDGETROUND

PERSONAL SERVICES

1200 - Reg Salaries

835,323

642,134

770,500

793,620 710,930

2100 - Fica Taxes

62,820

48,308

58,940

60,710 54,390

2200 - Ret Contrib

77,429

31,921

41,070

42,300 54,380

2310 - Group Ins

107,180

92,815

106,150

102,540 96,000

2313 - Basic Life 757 620

720 720 650

2400 - Workers Comp

4,360 830

740 740 680

10 - Pers Serv

1,087,868

816,628

978,120

1,000,630 917,030

OPERATING EXPENSES

3400 - Contract Svc 31 - 2,050


2,050 2,050

3401 - Con Svc-Temp

3,877

7,318

7,520

7,520 7,520

3403 - Cser Non Rec

82,501 - - - -

4000 - Travel/Diem

2,766

7,932

3,000

3,000 3,000

4001 - Bus Trav 370 136

2,450

2,450 2,450

4010 - Education

1,344

1,340

1,640

6,640 1,640

4030 - Motor Pool

1,861

2,300

2,200

2,200 1,940 4040 - Auto Allow 24 177 - - -

4130 - Tel Alloc Ch

3,860

3,169

3,860

3,860 3,200

4155 - ComDvc-Wless 688 866

690 690 870

4240 - Postage 181 -

2,330

2,330 2,330

4420 - Rent Equip

2,105

1,191

1,640

1,640 1,640

4510 - Self Insur 720 980

740 740 600

4620 - Equip Maint

1,694

1,158

2,190

2,190 2,190

4700 - Ext Print 42 118

5,420

5,420 5,420

4701 - Int Print

3,160

1,020

22,500

22,500 22,500

4800 - Promotional

2,000 -

14,780

9,780 14,780

4830 - Advertising -

1,075

11,940

11,940 11,940

5100 - Office Supp

11,950

6,458

12,500

12,500 12,500

5420 - Dues & Memb 190 185

1,090

1,090 1,090

5430 - Subscription

2,314 506

550 550 550

5500 - Misc Exp 759 604

1,090

1,090 1,090 NONPROFIT

30 - Operat Exp

122,437

36,533

100,180


DEBT SERVICE

TRANSFERS OUT

RESERVES

TOTEXP - Tot Exp

1,210,305

853,161

1,078,300

1,100,810 1,016,330 POS - Pos Count - 10 11 - 10 FTE - FTE 12 10 11 - 10

PY2ACT PY1ACT CYBUD CYMODBUD


BUDGETROUND

OESBD Total

Personal Services 2,264,146

1,721,472

2,151,940

2,201,480

2,252,650

Operating Expenses 220,992

91,146

213,530

213,530

210,610

Capital -

-

-

-

-

Total 2,485,138

1,812,618

2,365,470

2,415,010

2,463,260

Pos Count -

22

23

-

23


VI. APPENDICES

A. Delegated Authority Detail Federal Code of Regulations (49 CFR Parts 23 and 26) Broward County under the direction of the County Administrator has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. Enterprise Zone Act Designation of an area by the State of Florida as an Enterprise Zone must be done by the County and City where the area to be designated is located. This Act is governed by Florida Statutes 290.0055 Paragraph (1)

290.0055 Local nominating procedure - (1) If, pursuant to s. 290.0065, an opportunity exists for designation of a new enterprise zone, any county or municipality, or a county and one or more municipalities together, may apply to the department for the designation of an area as an enterprise zone after completion of the following:

Review and certification of Enterprise Zone incentive applications in accordance with Florida Statutes 220.181 Paragraph (3)

220.181 Review and Certification of Enterprise Zone Incentive Applications – (3) Within 10 working days after receipt of an application, the governing body or enterprise zone development agency shall review the application to determine if it contains all the information required pursuant to subsection (2) and meets the criteria set out in this section. The governing body or agency shall certify all applications that contain the information required pursuant to subsection (2) and meet the criteria set out in this section as eligible to receive a credit. If applicable, the governing body or agency shall also certify if 20 percent of the employees of the business are residents of an enterprise zone, excluding temporary and part-time employees. The certification shall be in writing, and a copy of the certification shall be transmitted to the executive director of the Department of Revenue. The business shall be responsible for forwarding a certified application to the department.


Incentives In order for any qualifying firm in unincorporated Broward County to receive a qualified target industry incentive, local financial support of 20% of the incentive must be paid from local sources, public or private, other than the target business in accordance with Florida Statutes 288.106 Paragraph (2)(j).

(j) “Local financial support” means funding from local sources, public or private, that is paid to the Economic Development Trust Fund and that is equal to 20 percent of the annual tax refund for a qualified target industry business. A qualified target industry business may not provide, directly or indirectly, more than 5 percent of such funding in any fiscal year. The sources of such funding may not include, directly or indirectly, state funds appropriated from the General Revenue Fund or any state trust fund, excluding tax revenues shared with local governments pursuant to law.


B. OESBD Work Plans by Section

Economic Development For Broward County, strong economic development in the cities results in a stronger county. OESBD acts as the county’s coordinating body for economic development activity. The office seeks to grow the county’s tax base through strategic partnerships in support of economic development activities that benefit not only the county as a whole, but actively support and maintain the enhancement and growth of development in the county’s 31 municipalities and in unincorporated areas. The activities of the economic development section through coordination with partners result directly and indirectly in increased employment, investment, and property capture. The mission of the section, which supports both the office’s general mission and the County Commission’s goal of “Unlimited Economic Opportunities,” is to stimulate economic growth in Broward County through the attraction, retention and expansion of targeted industry firms and the development of small businesses; working collaboratively with federal, state and local partners to leverage public/private resources. Scope of Work The Section’s Scope of Work is defined primarily by three documents: the Broward County Targeted Industry Study approved by the County Commission in 2010, the Broward County-Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Public/Private Economic Development Partnership Agreement, approved by the County Commission in 2010, the Broward County Job Growth/Economic Development Incentives Act of 2011. The documents shape the efforts of the Section, and focus activities on direct economic impacts of job creation and retention, attraction of capital investment, and increased property tax revenue. The Section provides the following services:

• Business attraction and retention services to targeted and non-targeted industry small businesses

• Development and Coordination of Broward County's International Trade and Investment Policy Plan

• Training and one-one-one technical assistance to Broward County businesses in export readiness

• Coordination of inbound and outbound international trade missions • Training and one-on-one technical assistance to Broward County businesses and aspiring

entrepreneurs in business plan development and growth strategies • Promotion of special development zones including Enterprise, Urban Job Tax Credit, and

Foreign Trade Zones, in partnership with municipal partners • Management of Broward County's Job Growth / Economic Development Incentives

Programs • Management of Broward County's Industrial Revenue Bond Program application and review

process


• Coordination of Emergency Support Function (ESF) 18 Business & Industry Business Attraction, Expansion and Retention The section coordinates business attraction, expansion and retention through the management of public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship programs, special development districts, the industrial revenue bond program, emergency support function 18, and international trade development. Public-Private Sector Partnerships Public-private partnerships represent a best-practice in economic development, due to the fact that a partnership can serve well the interests of both business and public through oversight and monitoring of the role/function at the county level. The county’s principle mode of economic development coordination is based on a public-private partnership agreement between the County and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. Under the agreement, OESBD is responsible for monitoring and reporting of activity under the partnership; OESBD reviews the accuracy of reports submitted by the Alliance, provides return on public investment analysis on incentives requests consistent with the requirements of the Job Growth ordinance, and supports the Alliance’s efforts to serve as a catalyst for development activities at the municipal level. OESBD coordinates with the Alliance to provide periodic accounting of activity of the partnership’s efforts, including attraction and retention activities, for reporting to the Board of County Commissioners on a quarterly basis. OESBD administration section ensures the timely submission of required reports by the Alliance. OESBD engages in activities with other public and private sector partners to achieve its economic development objectives. In addition to its municipal partners, OESBD partners with Broward College to deliver a variety of export-related training opportunities to Broward businesses including export readiness, country-specific export briefings, and training as well as forums on specific export topics. OESBD also partners with the College and its Institute for Economic Development, to provide training in entrepreneurship, business plan development, and growth planning. OESBD partners with local and international chambers of commerce, international trade groups and organizations, and industry groups such as the South Florida Manufacturer’s Association and the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, to promote private sector participation in inbound and outbound trade missions and international trade opportunities. Entrepreneurship Programs Recognizing that entrepreneurial ventures and start-ups are significant sources of future growth for the County’s economy, OESBD has taken the lead in supporting local entrepreneurs. The Section now offers new programs in entrepreneurship development through its affiliation with Kauffman FastTrac®. “The Intentional Entrepreneur” is a 2-hour workshop that assists aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs through the process of evaluating their business idea prior to its potential launch. “Listening to your Business”, is a


3-hour workshop that guides participants through the process of understanding their business, exploring, and planning for future growth. OESBD also offers a ten-week, comprehensive program for new business ventures called “FastTrac® NewVenture™”. These three programs provide further evidence of the commitment of the County to support new and growing businesses. Special Development Districts The Central County Unincorporated Area is a current project for the OESBD, and the office has been involved in multiple elements of the redevelopment efforts in the area. The OESBD has mapped and researched the high traffic, commercial corridors, participated in meetings with the Environmental Protection and Growth Management Division regarding infrastructure investments made in the area, and participated in preliminary planning with Traffic Engineering for a safe streets modification of NW 27th Avenue. The OESBD has begun the process of engagement of businesses and community leaders in the area to assess overall viability of the businesses in the area, and determine community expectations for development. Blight, disinvestment, numerous crime and code violation issues, average incomes lower than the County average contribute to slow recovery and redevelopment of the area. A comprehensive economic development strategy will be submitted to County Administration in December 2013. The plan will include specific recommendations for redevelopment of this area. The section conducts corporate visitation of firms located in the County’s Enterprise and Urban Job Tax Credit Zones. Industrial Revenue and Exempt Facility Bond Programs The Industrial Revenue and Exempt Facility Bond Programs are important tools in the County’s economic development effort. These tax-exempt financing programs help lower the overall cost of capital to qualifying manufacturing and air transportation companies making significant investments in facilities and equipment. The OESBD promotes these programs to businesses and manages the application process for participation the programs. These activities include application distribution, submission and review, collection of application fees, and convening of the Broward County Bond Review Committee which makes recommendations to the County Commission regarding bond issuance. Emergency Service Function 18 The purpose of ESF #18 is to provide emergency support and disaster recovery services to the business community of Broward County in the event of a declared disaster. OESBD assists in the coordination of the preparation, response, and recovery process for business and industry. OESBD is responsible for coordination of the activities of ESF #18 in the event of a disaster, including serving as liaison to the business community, the establishment and management of Business Recovery Centers throughout the County designed to provide information, and direct technical assistance to small businesses regarding disaster


preparedness. If the County EOC is activated, designated staff from OESBD provides information to the public on major business that is open or closed in their neighborhoods, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and building materials stores. This function conserves emergency resources/manpower in that PODS will not be opened if private sector retail is open. International Trade A critical component of the County’s economic development function is export-import strategy and expansion of Broward County businesses through international trade. OESBD is responsible for coordination of the County’s International Trade and Investment Policy. The policy will guide development of an international business development strategy, engaging County partners involved in international business development activities such as County Aviation, Port Everglades, the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the Alliance, and other community partners. The expansion and increase of international flights at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport presents opportunities for Broward County small businesses to access foreign markets more easily and frequently. The OESBD provides technical and market assistance to Broward County small businesses, allowing them to take advantage of these business opportunities. The deepening and widening and Intermodal Cargo Transfer Facility projects at Port Everglades both increase the capacity and efficiency with which cargo moves through the Port. The OESBD is working with small businesses to assist them in identifying foreign markets where these efficiencies and additional capacity can create competitive advantages. The OESBD is responsible for planning, content development and delivery of export readiness seminars and “Doing Business In…” workshops to Broward County businesses. The export readiness seminars are multi-session seminars that provide businesses new to exporting with information on developing an export plan, and the resources available to help enter the export market. The “Doing Business In…” workshops offered by the OESBD to Broward businesses provide information on products and services consumed by target market countries, trade and business climate, and assistance in accessing these markets. OESBD also provides one-on-one counseling and technical assistance to businesses in these areas. OESBD promotes Foreign Trade Zone #25 through corporate visitation to manufacturing firms and commercial property managers. Through these visits, often jointly with FTZ #25 representation, OESBD educates businesses and property managers on the benefits of FTZ designation and use of the services of FTZ #25 OESBD coordinates the County’s participation in inbound/outbound foreign trade missions, including working with and through foreign consulates and embassies to organize and host inbound delegations. OESBD also recruits Broward companies for participation in outbound missions, educating firms on their benefits and process of participation. Under the terms of the public-private partnership agreement between the County and the Alliance, the Alliance is responsible for the attraction of foreign investment for targeted industries. OESBD is responsible for international trade development and foreign direct investment for all other industries. Under the partnership agreement, the OESBD is responsible for monitoring and reporting of


foreign investment attraction activity under the partnership; OESBD reviews the accuracy of reports submitted by the Alliance. Future Initiatives The section plans to work closely with the small business section of the office to identify firms with potential for growth that could benefit from entrepreneurial support through additional Kauffman FastTrac® programs. The small business certification program represents a ready reserve of firms that are interested in business development as a starting point, and through additional discussion with OESBD may be ready and willing to take the next step toward growing their businesses. This enhances not only prospects for the business individually, but for the city or area of the business, and the county as a whole, in employment and investment terms. Everyone benefits from a strong economic development program and OESBD will focus on improving and enhancing relationships among all partners to create an environment that sustains and supports the growth of businesses of all sizes. OESBD will continue to build on its strong university and college partnerships, including growth of the joint activities with the Broward College incubator, and greater involvement with International Trade and Business Articulation Agreement between our partners Florida Atlantic University and Broward College. The section will research and identify other business development resources and tools for entrepreneurs and small businesses which may include: 1) Opportunities for the County to create a network of small business incubators at various locations. Business incubators nurture the development of entrepreneurial companies, helping them survive and grow during the start-up period, when they are most vulnerable. The most common goals of incubation programs are creating jobs, enhancing a community’s entrepreneurial climate, retaining businesses, building or accelerating growth in a local industry, and diversifying local economies; 2) A Micro Loan program to provide loans to start-up, newly established, or growing small business concerns. The County would make funds available to a non-profit community based lender that in turn, make loans to eligible borrowers. The County’s Micro Loan program could be funded by taking a portion of the financing fees derived from the County’s existing Industrial Revenue Bond and Exempt Facility Financing Bond Programs’ transactions. The section works with the outreach section to market business development events to the business community. Over the short-term, the section plans to increase this interaction to provide information and technical assistance to Broward County firms. This integrative approach will be of benefit to firms whether or not they find work in county procurement opportunities. From an international business development perspective, OESBD will submit an International Trade and Investment Policy and International Trade and Investment Strategy for County Commission approval in fiscal year 2014. The primary focuses of the Policy and Strategy include 1) Coordination of the County’s international business development resources; 2) Strengthen Broward County’s position at a Global Gateway; 3) Increase


exports and foreign direct investments. This strategy will facilitate formal agreements with International Trade partners such as to ensure clear articulation and delineation of services provided by each partner, reducing confusion on the part of the public and potential international trade clients. Given Broward County’s opportunity to further expand international trade activities, OESBD will research the opportunity to leverage existing unused parcels or lands near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades to explore the feasibility of designating an area in the County as a “Global Logistics Zone” attracting support related trade services such as refrigerated warehouses, FTZ showrooms and logistics carriers. The section will improve its website presence across all services currently provided. Upgrading the organization and quality of information regarding special development districts, start-up/entrepreneur development and international trade resources will be a priority for the section over the upcoming fiscal year. The section will also develop enhanced reporting processes to provide quarterly economic impact reports that better detail the economic conditions within the County, and provide a basis for more thorough analysis of the impact of activities of the public-private partnership for economic development. This additional reporting capacity will improve transparency for economic development in Broward County and provide accountability for outlay of resources for development expenses vis-à-vis benefits.


Certification – Local Programs (CBE / SBE) The role of the Certification section of the Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) is to review and evaluate the applications of local small businesses interested in competing for procurement opportunities with Broward County. The section seeks to utilize the resources of OESBD and its partners to assist small businesses to position themselves for opportunities to do business with not only Broward County, but for commercial opportunities within the South Florida region, nationally and internationally. Understanding that small businesses are the “life blood” of the economy here, the goal of the section is to encourage and assist in the growth and retention of small businesses within Broward County.

Scope of Work Guided by the Broward County Business Opportunity Act of 2012, the section reviews incoming new applications for certification for both the CBE and SBE programs. Staff reviews the applications, performs site visits to their commercial locations, and communicates with the applicants requesting documentation which will assist the section in determining the firm’s eligibility for certification in one or both programs. A firm is either approved or denied certification based on the review and a letter and certificate (if approved) is generated. The applications and staff recommendations are reviewed by management before the final determination of eligibility is made, and the correspondence is mailed to the client using First Class mail or, in the case of denials, certified mail. When an application review indicates that the firm may not be ideally positioned to do business with Broward County (whether eligible for the certification programs or not), yet can be helped by participating in some of the services and/or gaining access to the resources of the Economic Development section, the section will refer these firms to the appropriate staff in Economic Development. Among the challenges encountered when reviewing applications for certification is the awareness that some applicants attempt to withhold information that could lead to the firm being denied certification. The policies and procedures implemented by OESBD subsequent to the passing of the Business Opportunity Act of 2012 were designed to mitigate those efforts. One such newly implemented procedure is the “Continuing Eligibility Review”, which was initiated in November 2012. A firm’s certification will no longer expire. Instead, each firm will be contacted annually at least 30 days prior to the date it was initially certified—its “Anniversary Date”—explaining the continuing eligibility process, and requesting documents for review to ensure that the firm continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the program in which they are certified. The certification program has made a subtle, yet significant shift in the review process of applications for certification. Recognizing that government contracting may not be the best arena for a newly formed entity, the Business Opportunity Act of 2012 requires that any firm seeking certification with the County prove that it has been in business for at least one year


prior to applying for certification and that its Broward location has been operating consecutively for the last 12 months. This represents a shift in the way the section evaluates the applicant firm’s ability to perform the services indicated on the application, to verify that the firm has performed the intended services or sold the intended commodities in the past to clients that were not Broward County government. Commodities Suppliers, for instance, must not be engaged in “brokering” when selling goods to the County, either through the SBE Reserve or through CBE reserves. In evaluating an application, the section checks prior invoices and purchase orders for instances of “drop shipping” products from manufacturers directly to clients, and also compares the firm’s inventory on hand (during the site visit) with the list of inventory supplied with the application. Once certified, the supplier’s “specialty” will correspond with the inventory on hand and with the type of products sold in the past to customers other than Broward County. This process seeks to ensure that the goods the firm sells (or intends to sell) to Broward are goods that it sells regularly during its normal course of business. Finally, the section surveys its certified firms, on a quarterly basis, to obtain an assessment of our performance in delivering services and educating the public about certification programs. The survey is distributed once, around the end of the quarter, by the Community Relations and Outreach section to all firms certified in that quarter.

Future Initiatives Beginning in September 2013, the section will begin the process of requesting copies of a firm’s contracts, bills of sale, invoices, etc. of the last three contracts as listed on the application. Historically, the section reviewed the contracts listed on the application to note if there was consistency with the revenues listed elsewhere on the application. Presently, we will be asking for copies of those contracts in whatever form of agreement was made between the parties (invoices, signed contracts, purchase orders, etc.), and these will be kept in the file. Staff will make sure that the firm, at least at a basic level, is positioned to offer the County the goods and/or services it intends as evidenced by the goods and services it has provided to clients that are not County agencies. In May 2013, the section began requesting, as an optional check box on the new application, demographic information for the majority owner of the applicant firm. This information will allow OESBD to track the participation of all applicants in county procurement, either as contractors or sub-contractors, even though the SBE Reserve and the CBE programs are race and gender neutral. The section has historically had a symbiotic relationship with the Community Relations and Outreach section, often serving as featured speakers at symposia, workshops, and vendor “meet and greets”. OESBD’s focus is to increase the participation of our certified firms in the contracting opportunities of the County. Given this focus, the section will work closely with the compliance and outreach sections to target industries or specialties where there may be few to no firms certified which specialize in an industry or specialty. When the industry/specialty is pinpointed, the certification, compliance and community relations and outreach sections will perform a “targeted outreach” effort to locate those firms and encourage them to apply for the county’s certification.


Certification – Federal Programs (DBE / ACDBE) This section administers the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programs as mandated by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 CFR Parts 26 and 23. These programs encourage the growth and development of small and disadvantaged business enterprises in our local market area. Broward County Government is a recipient of both Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for its Airport and Transportation related contracts. As mandated, in order to receive FTA and FAA funding, the County must adhere to the requirements under the programs. The USDOT encourages certifying entities to become members of their state Unified Certification Program (UCP). Broward County is a certifying member of Florida’s UCP through Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). More pointedly, the OESBD Certification Section performs this function. Under the UCP agreement the County is required to provide “one-stop” on-site assistance to applicants for DBE/ACDBE certification, such that an applicant need only apply once for certification which will be honored by all UCP members in the State of Florida. Currently, OESBD services businesses with principle addresses in Broward County and Palm Beach. The section also reviews and processes applications for out of state firms, through the interstate certification process, that want to expand their reach in Florida. We assist other state UCPs in providing documentation - within seven days - for firms certified by OESBD who are seeking certification in other states. These programs are designed to build small business opportunities on a local, state and federal level. By obtaining certification, firms are eligible to bid on projects with assigned DBE/ACDBE goals. Thereby firms are afforded the opportunity to expand their reach and maximize their access to contracts throughout the state and ultimately the country. This section continues to work with other OESBD sections in support of international opportunities to encourage a sustainable local economy and improve the retention of small firms in Broward and Palm Beach counties. This allows the certified firms to contribute to the long term success of local commerce. Scope of Work The DBE/ACDBE certification applications require a more stringent review than the local programs. The application package requires numerous documents for submittal. An applicant must be advised within 30 days whether the application is complete and suitable for evaluation and a decision must be rendered within 90 days of receipt. As part of the review process, staff evaluates DBE certification eligibility requirements as it pertains to ownership, personal net worth and meets the socially and economically disadvantaged status based on guidelines established by the USDOT Code of Federal Regulations. Certification staff conducts an initial on-site visit for new applicants. Once the firm is certified, the firm remains certified unless their certification is removed. This section currently maintains 225 DBE and/or ACDBE firms. In order for a firm to remain certified, it must provide required documentation for their continuing eligibility each year on their anniversary date as per the regulations to ensure their information is correct and they are


still eligible. Firms must inform the OESBD in writing of any change in circumstances affecting their ability to meet size, disadvantaged status, ownership, or control requirements and any material change.

This section then conducts a subsequent review of the firm, including a new on-site visit, three years from the date of the firm's most recent certification, or sooner if appropriate in light of changed circumstances, a complaint, or other information concerning the firm's eligibility.

As the sole certifying UCP member for Broward and Palm Beach Counties, staff expertise has been enriched by the increased volume of applications being generated from Palm Beach County, per the Florida Unified Certification Program, DBE, pursuant to 49 CFR Parts 23 and 26. However, processing of certification applications is limited by both the increased volume of applications processed by the section and available staff hours, coupled with the expectation of site visits, which are both time consuming and resource-intensive. This section provides continuous technical assistance to firms in completing the certification application. Additionally, staff provides support to the CRO section by attending outreach events, serving as a speaker, and providing relevant information pertaining to the Federal certification program and the benefits it offers to our business community at large. Staff offers assistance to the compliance section by providing verification of firms’ certification in the FDOT Business Directory and researching North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) information. Future Initiatives In alignment with the recommendations in the Disparity Study and to assist the CRO section with targeted marketing initiatives, the section will work with Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) to develop a resource to identify underutilized trades and to track disadvantaged groups. This section proposes a series of workshops, tentatively titled “Pre-certification” and “How to Move Forward After Certification” to assist community businesses. Additional collaborative efforts will include:

• Developing a need assessment for firms with the CRO section to ascertain barriers that are prohibiting participation and growth.

• Increasing participation in educational outreach sessions with the CRO section bringing updated information on federal ruling and proposed initiatives impacting federal programs to increase the number of certified businesses receiving county procurement contracts.

• Creating a process with the Economic Development section to increase opportunities for disadvantaged business retention, expansion, attraction and relocation.

• Improving communication with the compliance section by providing documentation of removal of DBE/ACDBE firm’s certification.


Compliance The Compliance section is the contract enforcement arm of the Office of Economic and Small Business Development. The mission of this section is to provide consistent oversight and contract monitoring in support of the County’s small business programs. The section works to ensure that the County and its vendors comply with the requirements of the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) regulations, as well as the requirements of the Broward County Business Opportunity Act of 2012 regarding the County Business Enterprise (CBE) and the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) programs. The section identifies and reviews procurement opportunities under these programs, establishes appropriate project level goals, review bid submittals for responsibility with regard to small business participation and monitors contracts for compliance from beginning through final payment close-out. Scope of Work Oversight The compliance section provides local and federal small business program oversight from inception to the final close-out of a contract or project. Staff reviews SBE Reserve solicitations and goal setting requests for projects with subcontracting opportunities. Based on project scope and other variables, goals may be set on projects to afford small business participation. Prior to contract award, the compliance section participates in pre-solicitation meetings for all projects with small business requirements. The section reviews solicitation responses with established program measures to ensure adherence to the applicable small business requirements of the solicitation. After a contract is awarded, the section provides additional reviews when amendments, extensions or change orders are to be executed for an ongoing project. During a project’s close-out and prior to final payment to the prime contractor, the section performs a final review of subcontracting participation. The section completes a final evaluation of prime contractors. The evaluation encompasses meeting small business participation, timely reporting, timely payment to and working relationships with small business subcontractors. This section provides contract oversight for the following programs: Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Reserve Program The section reviews proposed projects valued less than $250,000 for potential participation by SBE firms. County agencies request pre-bid reviews to determine if there is sufficient availability of SBE firms to participate in a given procurement opportunity. The section completes and issues a determination to the using agency. Staff reviews the SBE Reserve solicitation results to determine SBE eligibility in accordance with reserve requirements and provides procurement staff with the findings. County Business Enterprise (CBE) Program The County has established an overall CBE participation goal. In support of this goal, this section reviews projects for potential small business participation and establishes CBE


Reserves or percentage goals following the standard methodology. The section provides the reserve or established goal to the using agency and CRO section for outreach purposes. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program, and Federal Small Business Program One distinct feature this section accomplishes is to solicit public input prior to establishing triennial goals for DBE/ACDBE participation on FAA projects, FAA-related concession activities, and FTA funded projects. To aid in the achievement of the triennial goals, the section sets contract-specific program goals using an established goal setting methodology to determine the availability of firms. Where appropriate, the section may also set contract requirements for participation by federal small businesses, as described in the DBE Program Plan. This section is responsible for annual DBE reports to the FAA as well as semi-annual and quarterly DBE reports to the FTA. The section is also responsible for compiling and submitting the ACDBE Quarterly Monitoring Plan, semi-annual and annual reports regarding commitments and attainments by Broward County Transportation and Aviation Departments to the USDOT. Monitoring The section monitors contracts with assigned program measures. Prior to and following contract award, staff attends project meetings to explain OESBD expectations regarding the prime’s small business participation commitment. Once the project is underway, staff monitors the contractor’s small business participation commitments. Such efforts may include: site visits, interviews with firms’ employees, communication with project managers, auditing Monthly Utilization Reports (MURs) and assisting in complaint resolution. Through the course of monitoring, staff may determine that enforcement action is necessary to bring the prime contractor back into compliance with its small business participation commitments or other requirements of the County’s small business programs. Enforcement actions available to the section include: notice to cure; notice of violation; recommendations to the project manager to withhold payment and recommendations to the Purchasing Director that may disqualify offenders from future contracting opportunities. Future Initiatives To further the office’s mission, the section is proactively working with the CRO staff and the Purchasing Division to identify and leverage existing resources:

• Work with other OESBD sections and the Purchasing Division to leverage the NIGP-NAICS Crosswalk. This effort will help expand the target population for the small business programs, will further ensure small businesses are included in upcoming invitations to bid and will remedy existing disparities between NIGP and NAICS codes.

• Provide the CRO section with upcoming project information for distribution to certified businesses and targeted marketing outreach to recruit and educate firms.

• Continue to work with Broward County using agencies key staff, especially the Purchasing Division staff to ensure that solicitation documents include appropriate small business language and compliance forms.


Community Relations and Outreach (CRO) As part of the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development’s (OESBD) commitment to countywide economic development efforts, the Community Relations and Outreach (CRO) section was created in the first quarter of 2013 to link and enhance the agency’s service offerings for the business community at large. The section coordinates community development activities that enhance the County's overall economy, including increased employment and business opportunities. The section activities center on business recruitment initiatives to increase the number of available firms within the County’s targeted industries and certification programs, with the expertise, financial/bonding capacity and infrastructure necessary to bid and perform on procurement opportunities within Broward County government and in other venues, public and private. In order to support the OESBD’s overall mission, the section coordinates community development activities that enhance the County’s overall economy including increased employment and business opportunities. The section connects entrepreneurs and small businesses countywide, with the relevant resources and programs available from federal, state and local governments and other organizations to help them grow and prosper and add local jobs and expand the local economy. Section staff works to brand Economic Development Programs offered by Broward County that leads to entrepreneurial activity, new business, new jobs, increase tax base, and projects Broward as a strong economic base not only in South Florida but throughout the State and the Eastern seaboard.

Scope of Work The section develops and executes outreach initiatives to raise internal and external awareness of various economic development and small business development regulatory programs impacting the Broward County business community. Primary duties include conducting outreach efforts to reach diverse targeted audiences to identify, recruit, screen, motivate and develop small and emerging business owners. Work also involves informing public, private and not-for-profit sectors to promote an understanding of federal, state and local economic and small business development laws, policies, procedures and programs. Since inception, this section has tackled many endeavors reflecting its strengths, such as improving the annual monthly workshop series (which now features a business development component) that has captivated and energized the target audience – rain or shine. The improved workshop schedule is more flexible and the host venues are strategically located around Broward County for participant convenience. The section has also increased agency participation (as both exhibitor and guest speaker) in partnering organization events and has extended heightened technical assistance to the business community due to the expertise of new section staff. Due to the nature of the section’s core work, additional administrative staff would enhance the section’s ability to provide continual SUNsational Service®. The section prepares required quarterly, annual, statistical and other reports. The section also provides staff support to the Certification, Compliance and Economic Development sections of the Office. Some of these collaborative efforts have included assisting the Economic Development section with the development and distribution of promotional


materials and target marketing for the Export Readiness Seminar and the “Doing business with…” international trade informational workshops by country of interest and participating in Emergency Support Function (ESF #18) Business and Industry and spearheading the targeted marketing efforts for the Compliance section - such as formalizing a targeted outreach initiative for procurement activities that yields less than two certified firms in the relevant specialty trades to proactively recruit and educate certified and certifiable firms. The section also assists in emailing notices for upcoming contracting opportunities to targeted industries to increase awareness. Special focus is placed on solicitation with reserved markets to maximize participation in conjunction with the Certification and Compliance sections, the CRO section advises potential sub and prime contractors on the correct NAICS codes for the relevant scope of work identified in a given project in order to assist the bidders in meeting their participation plan for projects with goals. The section was also instrumental in working with the Economic Development section to secure the Kauffman Foundation partnership which resulted in the agency offering the new roster of FastTrac® Entrepreneurship Programs. The section assists with marketing and promotional efforts which includes media interviews, e-blasts, by posting information on agency web site and drafting news releases. In addition to the items listed above, the CRO section has made efforts to align its services and activities with the Disparity Study Recommendations, specifically to “Continue and Augment Race- and Gender-Neutral Initiatives by Increased Vendor Communication and Outreach”. The CRO section is accomplishing its mission and goals through the following activities:

• Presenting the improved “How to Do Business with Broward County” workshop series in each of the nine Commission districts

• Distributing weekly and targeted e-blasts to maximize awareness • Increasing efforts to engage local media to reach Broward County’s diverse

community at large • Promoting and hosting various outreach events in collaboration with other County

agencies to share upcoming contracting opportunities • Researching and providing consultation to firms to reevaluate their NAICS codes to

ensure relevance • Fine-tuning the agency website to improve its usability and clarity

Future Initiatives The CRO section’s primary long term goal is to maximize exposure and promote the branding of OESBD services. CRO staff is working to develop and execute a comprehensive marketing plan - to include the 2014 How to Do Business with Broward County workshop series, social media and community/electronic/niche advertisements - and an inclusive outreach plan. The CRO section plans to address Disparity Study Recommendations, specifically to “Provide Supportive Services for Small Firms”, through the following activities:

• Implement and brand the proposed Mentor-Protégé Program. • Establish social media initiatives. • Improve agency collateral materials (brochures, exhibit displays, etc.) and translate

printed content into relevant languages.


• Conduct targeted outreach for relevant solicitations with no participation goals Provide business assistance to the local business community through the OESBD Small Business Development Center.

strategic business plan: fy 2014-2016 to a bright future for broward county’s business ......

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