Stories
Stories

MWSBE Academies: February-April 2018

February 5, 2018

MWSBE Academies Minority, Women, & Small Business Entreprise (MWSBE) Academies are designed specifically for certified businesses to maximize their competitiveness. Don’t miss these upcoming academies, offered in cooperation with the FAMU Small Business Development Center, Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce, Capital City Chamber of Commerce, CareerSource, and Wells Fargo Bank. All classes are hosted […]

Sharing the #FLCapital4Biz Story with Amazon HQ2

January 24, 2018

In October 2016, OEV had the privilege of preparing a response to Amazon’s RFP for its second headquarters facility, dubbed HQ2. Amazon recently announced it identified 20 communities to focus on after evaluating the 238 submissions it received in response to its RFP. Though Tallahassee-Leon County did not make the short list, the Office of […]

Urban Vitality Job Creation Pilot Program

December 29, 2017

The Urban Vitality Job Creation Pilot Program is a locally-based program designed to spur job creation, encourage employment stability, and promote economic vitality in the Promise Zone area. If you are a small business in or relocating to this area that plans to hire new employees in 2018, you may be eligible to participate in […]

U-Haul to build its first smart mobility center in Tallahassee

December 12, 2017

TaMaryn Waters, Democrat staff writer U-Haul’s plans to build its first ever “Smart Mobility Center” by converting vacant buildings on Tallahassee’s west side cleared a major rezoning hurdle. Last week, city commissioners approved a request to create a Planned Unit Development for roughly 24 acres near Capital Circle Northwest and Tennessee Street. The PUD allows […]

Federal Grants Help FAMU Promote Entrepreneurship

November 23, 2017

By Byron Dobson, Tallahassee Democrat senior writer | 4:00 p.m. ET Nov. 23, 2017 Florida A&M University’s efforts to promote entrepreneurship on campus and on Tallahassee’s south-side have been bolstered with more than $1 million in federal money. The funding will be used over a period of years to encourage and develop start-up businesses through […]

Makers Make Their Mark at Startup Week

November 14, 2017

By TOM FLANIGAN • NOV 14, 2017 This is Startup Week in Tallahassee. The observance is intended to promote more entrepreneurship and business creativity. One of the occasion’s first events took place on Monday (11/13) morning and focused on local small businesses that actually make things. A Capital City mother/daughter team was talking about the […]

An Insider’s View of MED Week 2017

September 29, 2017

You may have heard: the 2017 Big Bend Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week is around the corner! The planning committee for this year’s event is chaired by the Office of Economic Vitality’s LaTanya Raffington, Senior Coordinator of Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) Programs. We took a moment to ask LaTanya a few questions […]

MWSBE Certification Takes Your Business to the Next Level

In today’s competitive business landscape, a Minority, Women & Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) certification sets your business apart from the rest. Here we’ll unpack what this certification means, how you can apply, and what you’ll gain as a certified MWSBE business. The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) MWSBE Program team is responsible for […]

2017 MED Week Calendar of Events Helps “Fuel Economic Growth”

September 26, 2017

OEV Adds Six New Economic Indicators

September 5, 2017

OEV’s business analytics provides cutting edge data for informed decision-making and maximum competitiveness in Florida’s Capital for Business. Our data team maintains the most comprehensive database of economic statistics for Tallahassee-Leon County and has recently added six new economic indicators: Job Creation and Destruction Rates in the Tallahassee MSA illustrates the long-term ebb and flow […]

Upcoming Events
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September 18, 2025

New to exporting or looking to explore the latest exporting best practices? OEV and SelectFlorida have partnered up to provide an event that will help manufacturers and service providers to grow their business across international markets.

September 18, 2025

Leon County and the City of Tallahassee created the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency in accordance with Florida Statutes Section 163.01(7). The Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors, comprised of the Leon County Board of County Commissioners and the Tallahassee City Commission, provides leadership of the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency and implements the programs and projects of the Office […]