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Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5, was joined recently by Miami Dade College representatives, business organizations, and small business owners across District 5 for the release of Elevate District 5 Impact Report at The Idea Center in Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus.
In 2022, Commissioner Higgins launched Elevate District 5 with a clear mission to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners in the face of unprecedented challenges brought by the pandemic. During National Small Business Week, she celebrated two years of impactful initiatives by reporting the program’s achievements and contributions to the community.
“From Mom and Pop grants to micro-loans, and the free, bilingual programs developed, I am overjoyed with the success of Elevate District 5,” Commissioner Higgins said. “I am proud to announce that in two years, over 500 businesses have participated in the program while engaging with another 1,000.
“As the program continues to empower entrepreneurs and foster economic resilience, I remain committed to supporting small businesses and collaborate with partners in order to drive positive change in District 5,” she said.
Key highlights from the Elevate District 5 Impact Report include:
• 525 businesses helped — Elevate District 5 has provided assistance to 525 businesses through various programs and initiatives tailored to their needs.
• 30 trainings held — The program has organized 30 training sessions covering essential skills such as AI technology, marketing, access to capital, and more.
• 415 grants awarded — Elevate District 5 has awarded 415 grants to deserving small businesses, enabling them to overcome financial challenges and become resilient.
• $1,862,000 Invested — The program has invested $1,862,000 in federal funds to provide free bilingual programming, financial support, and resources to strengthen the small business community.
“I have signed up for most of the programs that Commissioner Higgins and her amazing team offer to small business owners in District 5,” said Claudia Romero, owner of Pega Grill in Downtown Miami. “These programs have enriched my knowledge on how to better run my business. But also, I have created a network of fellow small business owners that support each other. These programs have also introduced me to community organizations, leaders, and other programs that I didn’t know existed.”
Elevate District 5 is made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan, President Joe Biden’s initiative to provide direct relief to Americans and rebuild the economy. The program’s success is also attributed to its collaborative efforts with organizations dedicated to strengthening Miami-Dade’s small business ecosystem including Axis Helps Miami, Prospera, Partners for Self-Employment, The Idea Center at Miami Dade College, Miami DDA, Miami Bayside Foundation, FIU SBDC, The Miami Foundation, Capital One, Dade County Federal Credit Union, Ascendus, Urban Impact Lab, numerous Miami-Dade County agencies and BizHack.
“Commissioner Eileen Higgins is a visionary leader providing some of the most innovative small business programming of any elected official in the country. The Elevate D5 initiative gives small business owners precisely the skills they need to succeed in our tech-enabled economy,” said Dan Grech, founder and CEO of BizHack Academy. “The free ‘AI for Marketing and Sales’ course part of Elevate District 5 empowers entrepreneurs to harness AI’s potential and flourish in a competitive marketplace.”
For more information about Elevate District 5 and Commissioner Eileen Higgins’ initiatives and upcoming programs, visit www.ElevateDistrict5.com or contact via email at smallbusinessd5@miamidade.gov.
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