LTC 262-2009 City of Miami Beach CARES - Miami Beach Business Academy'~~~rl~./-~~~'.~ R~~C~ 20090CT-I F'N 309
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER - ~ - -' ~ ~
NO. LTC # 262-2009
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
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FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager ~\
GATE: September 30, 2009 U
SUBJECT: City of Miami Beach CARES -Miami Beach Business Academy
The purpose of this LTC is to announce a new program that is designed to assist local businesses in
better understanding City Government, as well as how providing information that may be useful during
this difficult economy. As you may recall, several months ago Mayor Matti Herrera Bower hosted a
Miami Beach CARES (Community Action to Restore Economic Stability) event, in partnership with the
Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. In addition to providing resources to assist local residents during
an afternoon session, the morning program provided tips to local businesses on how to survive these
tough economic times.
In an effort to continue to provide support to our local businesses. and in response to frequent
feedback we receive from local businesses about difficulties understanding the many, often complex,
city processes that they navigate to open and operate a business in our City, we are launching the first-
ever Miami Beach Business Academy.
This program, loosely modeled after our successful Leadership Academy, will include a series of
workshops intended for new, existing, expanding or prospective businesses. The sessions will be held
every other month beginning in November, 2009. Each two hour workshop will focus on a different
element -from the ins and outs of permitting, to dealing with city codes, business assistance, special
events and opportunities. Speakers will be from internal City departments, other local governments,
area businesses, and related industries. The proposed program schedule and content was shared with
the Mayor's Gay and Lesbian Task Force, who had suggested a similar program. Information on the
program will be shared with local businesses via our available mediums (Facebook, Emails, Website,
PSAs, etc.), and by our outreach teams. The program is free.
The Miami Beach CARES Business Academy will meet on the following dates:
Thursday, November 12, 2009 Opportunities -What's Going on in Miami Beach
Thursday, January 14, 2010 The ABC's of Permitting and Licensing
Thursday, March 9, 2010 Ciry Codes You Should Know
Thursday May 13, 2010 Business Assistance
All sessions will be held in the Miami Beach Police Department, first floor Meeting Room from 3:00 p.m.
to 5:00 p.m.
For further information, please contact Lynn W. Bernstein, City of Miami Beach Community Outreach
Coordinator, 305-673-7000, ext. 6178 or email IvnnbernsteinCa?miamibeachfl.pov.
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