The Economic Vitality Leadership Council is responsible for quarterly meeting to increase the community’s competitiveness across the six economic development initiatives, provide advice upon implementing the strategic plan, encourage collaboration across all community sectors, and recommend improvements to improve competitiveness.
‘Love Your Local’ push supports Small Business Saturday shopping
TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) has three words for residents this year — Love Your Local. Sounds simple, but the sentiment when put into action can plunge desperately needed dollars into Tallahassee’s bruised economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. OEV Director Cristina Paredes said the “Love Your Local” concept is about spreading […]
Small Business Certifications & Why Your Business Needs One
Shanea Wilks Are you a small business owner with an interest in local government contracting? Are you seeking the opportunity to compete against like-sized firms for projects smaller in scale? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Tallahassee-Leon County Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program may interest you. The SBE Program, administered by […]
Innovation and Local Entrepreneurs
Richard Fetchick Tallahassee boasts great assets that serve as springboards to innovation. Florida A&M REACH, ACT House, Innovation Park, Domi Station, Tallahassee Community College Center for Innovation, and Florida State equip thousands of bright minds every year with tools that can lead to new, commercializable ideas. In 2019, Leon-County-based tech startups brought in $823,000 in […]
Moving MWBEs Forward
Fall 2020 will mark a new chapter of the activity in the expansion of the MWSBE Division of the Office of Economic Vitality. The $65 million Tallahassee Police Department will be the largest construction project since the consolidation of the MWSBE programs of the City of Tallahassee and Leon County Government and the implementation of […]
Gearing Up for Manufacturing Month
Kevin Gehrke This is an exciting time of year for the manufacturing industry. October is designated, nationally, as Manufacturing Month. Here in the Big Bend area, we have an additional reason to celebrate. The Office of Economic Vitality is pleased to announce the launch of the Big Bend Manufacturers Association. In September, the Intergovernmental Agency […]
My Take: Love Your Local
By Cristina Paredes, Director of the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality Tallahassee-Leon County has a special place in my heart. From the award-winning parks and outdoor adventures to the innovation that thrives from our world-class universities and research institutions, there are a lot of incredible and unique qualities that keep our community beating strong. […]
OEV Preps Local Businesses for Reopening with Impact Survey, PPE Site
This week, under Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-112, certain businesses across Florida will slowly begin to open their doors to customers. Here in Florida’s capital, local businesses that are choosing to re-open are taking extra precautions to be safe as Florida’s recovery begins.
Blueprint Activates $1M Grant for Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19, Awards 71 Additional Businesses
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Yesterday, the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors (IA Board), comprised of Leon County Commissioners and City of Tallahassee Commissioners, activated a $1 million grant program to assist local non-profits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Local Emergency Assistance for Non-profits (LEAN) grant program, which will be administered by the Tallahassee-Leon County […]
OEV Announces the Closure of $1M Grant after Awarding 487 Businesses
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., April 6, 2020 – Today, the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) has announced the closure of its COVID-19 Economic Disaster Relief (CEDR) Grant Program after awarding over 487 businesses with over 4,400 employees and rapidly injected a $1 million of direct support to the Tallahassee-Leon County local economy….. Click here for […]
Local Businesses Awarded 24 Hours after Activation of $1M Blueprint Grant
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., March 26, 2020 – Today, less than 24 hours after activating the COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Relief Grant Program, the County and City have awarded critical grantdollars to local businesses in urgent need. Earley’s Kitchen and Hair on Earth are among the first 25 businesses to receive grant funding.Program, the County and City have awarded […]