Small business owners gain insights on federal contracts, grants and growth resources
Submitted by Amelia Orjuela Da Silva, Miami Times Staff Writer
The Miami HUBZone Business Summit, held at the UNI Tower on Jan. 29, 2025, brought together small business owners, policymakers and economic experts to explore how the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program can fuel small business growth and revitalize underserved areas. The summit’s theme, “Fueling Miami’s Growth — Unlocking Opportunities for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs,” aimed to equip entrepreneurs and business owners with the knowledge to leverage HUBZone benefits, including federal contracting opportunities, grants and resources.
The HUBZone Advantage
The HUBZone Program, managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), offers small businesses a pathway to access billions of dollars in federal contracts. In 2023 alone, the federal government allocated $759 billion in contracts, with at least 3% set aside for HUBZone-certified businesses. The benefits are significant: businesses in HUBZones gain access to exclusive contracting opportunities, a 10% price preference in bids, and increased visibility through SBA resources.
“The key is to create jobs and stimulate local economic development while helping small businesses thrive,” said Althea A. Harris, deputy director of the SBA.
Revitalizing Miami
One of the standout aspects of the event was the collaboration between various local organizations and government bodies, working to create an environment where small businesses can thrive.
Manuel Cid, senior advisor for Economic Opportunity of Miami-Dade County, recognized the importance of such partnerships.
“Something the mayor has tasked me with is reimagining the relationship that government has with small businesses,” he said. “She said, ‘Manny, we can do all these different things for small businesses, but if we don’t start cutting red tape, I mean, they’re gonna get stuck in the mud a lot of the way.’ And that’s something we’re already doing since day one.”
Entrepreneurs
He also highlighted small business challenges, particularly as the “silver tsunami” of retiring baby boomer business owners create a demand for younger entrepreneurs to step in. This raises concerns about succession planning and bridging the gap for the next generation of business owners.
“We’re seeing our small businesses age out; I’ve seen this between 30 to 50% of our small businesses throughout our country. They’re aging out,” he said.
He mentioned that many baby boomers are looking to sell but struggling to find successors. Younger generations are often more focused on digital careers than traditional business ownership. This shift is complicated further by government regulations, which create burdensome processes for new owners trying to take over.
The conversation also touched on the importance of workforce housing in supporting economic development. Cid highlighted the need for affordable housing for workers in key sectors like healthcare and education.
Omni CRA’s Support of Small Businesses
The Omni Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) plays a pivotal role in supporting small businesses within its boundaries. The Omni CRA covers northeast Overtown, which is designated as a HUBZone.
Isiaa Jones, executive director of Omni CRA, discussed the resources the organization provides.
“We’re one of three CRAs in the city, and we’re able to provide incentives, tax rebates, and tax increment financing to businesses that are helping to foster economic development in the city,” Jones said.
The CRA offers loans, grants, and other financial support, but Jones put particular emphasis on the importance of documentation and understanding business costs.
“We always want to make sure that your documentation is up to standard,” Jones noted. “We also want to make sure that you have a full understanding of your business costs, including what it will cost to build out your space. Having a solid team — the right contractors, the right accountants — is essential.”
Networking
Jones also offered advice for small business owners navigating Miami’s development landscape for the first time, emphasizing that preparation is key to accessing the full range of resources available.
“There are a number of free resources out there to assist you, and the more prepared you are, the better able you are to access those resources,” Jones said.
Jones also discussed funding opportunities within the Omni CRA district, including grants of up to $200,000 for business infrastructure development. Additionally, the panel discussed Rise funds operated by the county, which offer grants and low-interest loans to businesses seeking to improve or expand their facilities. The county also has the STRIVE 305 program, which provides businesses with access to resources, education, funding opportunities, and mentorship to help them grow and expand their operations. More programs are coming online soon.
Navigating Federal Opportunities
The summit also discussed how small businesses can tap into federal contracting opportunities. Brian Van Hook, regional director of the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at FIU, discussed the organization’s free services to help small businesses grow, including assistance with government contracting and acquiring funds from different organizations and partnerships.
“The cool thing about that is that I don’t just go get out and hustle,” Van Hook said. “I don’t get additional funds just to meet my goal; I get additional funds to help more businesses, to run more consulting hours, to help you get more contracts, to get more capital.”
Van Hook emphasized that success is not only about financial resources but also the guidance available to entrepreneurs.
“We’re here to help with anything from evaluating a business plan to finding an equity partner. And the best part? All of our services are free,” he stated.
Attendees
As federal policies shift under President Donald Trump’s new administration — such as those dictating immigration, trade tariffs, and government funding priorities — Harris urged attendees not to panic. She acknowledging the potential for changes to small business programs in the face of uncertainty.
“If you’re thinking, ‘Oh my God, Trump might get rid of small business programs for women, Black, Hispanic, or other groups — whatever you do, do not panic,” Harris said. “Look for the opportunities.”
She also highlighted local efforts as examples of resilience in the face of change.
“I’m so delighted just to be here myself and hear what the Omni CRA and what the county are doing to make things better for small businesses,” Harris said. “We’re doing good work here.”
Federal contracting
The summit concluded with a call to action for small business owners to take advantage of available programs and incentives.
Harris reminded attendees to visit the SBA certification website to initiate the certification process either for the HUBZone program or the 8(a) Business Development program, which is a “federal contracting and training program for experienced small business owners who are socially and economically disadvantaged.”
