Dr. Brown spoke about what to expect in 2013:  The Bush tax cuts are set to expire, the payroll tax reductions are also set to expire, and we can expect spending cuts to begin.  He stated that this could subtract 4% from the GDP.

He also took a look at unemployment, as of December 2011:

The national average = 8.5%
Florida  = 9.9%

• Hernando  = 12.7%
• Pasco  = 11.2%
• Pinellas  = 9.8%
• Hillsborough = 9.5%

These numbers are deceptive, he stated, because there are many folks that have given up looking for a job, and therefore are not counted in the statistics.  Dr. Brown was named Bloomberg Markets’ January 2011 Top Forecaster of the U.S. economy (http://www.raymondjames.com/pdfs/reprints/bloomberg_markets_scott_brown.pdf).

While the unemployment situation is not heartwarming, he did have good news:  Small and Medium sized businesses create the most jobs!   His graph showed that only a tiny percentage of jobs are created by large businesses.  He defined small business as having 1-49 employees; medium businesses as 50-499 employees, and large business as having over 500 employees.

http://www.raymondjames.com/pdfs/monit/mnth120117.pdf

Your Small Business Development Center is here to assist the economic super-heroes: you!  We’ve always known that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are the solution to our nation’s problems.  That’s why we offer no-cost consultation and low-cost training to help you grow your business.  Only through growth can you afford to hire new employees!

Dr. Scott stated that our economic recovery will continue, but at a slow pace.  Let us help you boost your business.  Every super-hero needs a side kick!!

Read the full article in Spanish now!


Ms. Eileen Rodriguez serves as Director for the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida. She is a Certified Business Analyst. Eileen has been working with the SBDC since 1997, providing one-on-one confidential counseling and teachings seminars in English and Spanish on small business start-up, international trade, and women and minority certification.

Why export to Latin America? The International Energy Agency estimates energy demand in Latin America and the Caribbean to increase 50% by 2030. The agency also estimates installed energy generation capacity to increase by 26% in the following ten years. How can a small business benefit from this opportunity?

The U.S. is an important supplier of electric power generation equipment in Latin America, with renewable energy in the Dominican Republic (DR) being identified as one of the most promising export sectors (according to the U.S. Department of Commerce) . The USTDA estimates Panama’s renewable energy potential at 2,800 MW.

Where Can I Get Free International Business Help & Resources?

» SBDC Exporting Events & Free International Business Information

» Request Free International Business Consulting Now!

What Kind of Trade Events Does SBDC Offer?

2010 Recap: Learn How to Export Goods and Services to Latin America

In 2010, the SBDC at the University of South Florida (USF) & Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions hosted the “Exporting Alternative Energy Products & Services to Latin America” seminar. Partners included the following schools & organizations: SBDC at Miami, SBDC at the University of Central Florida (UCF), SBDC at the University of North Florida (UNF), UCF, UNF, Florida International University (FIU), the University of Florida (UF), Florida Agricultural & Mechanical (Florida A&M) University, & Florida Network for Global Studies.

The event, delivered to Florida business owners, delivered information on how to export goods & services to Latin America. It featured case examples using Panama & The Dominican Republic.

» Browse Upcoming SBDC International Business & Exporting Events!

Interested in SBDC’s Tales of Success? Read Business Success Stories Here!

According to a recent study on the economic impact of beaches to Florida?s tourism, beaches serve as economic engines by attracting out-of-state tourists whose spending creates employment and income for local residents. Impacts of these economic development spread beyond the immediate area of the beach because not all beach-going tourists stay in the immediate beachfront communities. Additionally, businesses in the beachfront communities are supplied by businesses in nearby metropolitan areas (Murley , et.al, Tourism in Paradise: The Economic Impact of Florida Beaches).

The SBDC at USF encourages you to take Pinellas County Economic Development’s Disaster Preparedness Survey. The information gathered will assist the state in determining how to better prepare small businesses for natural disasters. Please make every effort to take this important survey.

More information on the Oil Spill can be found on the Pinellas County Website.

On March 11, 2010, President Obama launched a National Export Initiative. He has asked the Small Business Development Centers throughout the nation to partner with the US Department of Commerce, EX-IM Bank, and the US Department of Agriculture to educate our small businesses and double the amount of US exports.

The SBDC at USF has an established Export Ready program, which consists of extensive seminars and focused consulting.� We have two Certified Global Business Professionals on staff to assist business owners expand their domestic businesses to include foreign markets.� We teach seminars at three levels:

• The International Trade Basics workshop geared toward the domestic business owner who is interested in learning about the potentials of exporting – see the Training Calendar for classes.
• The Florida Export Series consists of three seminars which give entrepreneurs a more in-depth look at how to expand their businesses through the sale of goods and services abroad.
• The International Trade Certificate Program; a 7-week series that exposes business owners to local resources in our community, enabling them to enter new markets.

Every business should be looking at alternative markets for their products and services in today?s environment.� The SBDC at USF can partner with you to make that a reality.

Charles Cronk, a former business assistance specialist at the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, will work with business owners in need of help.

Cronk?s expertise in the areas of small business development, tourism development, cultural development and governmental affairs will be a great asset, said Eileen Rodriguez, regional director of the SBDC, in a release.

The new office is located at 3420 Eighth Ave. S., St. Petersburg. The telephone is (727) 524-4344.