Florida SBDC at Eastern Florida State College

06/01/2026

“Hello June 🌿—fresh goals, bright ideas, and new opportunities for your business to shine.”

05/19/2026

SBA Updates:
• Disaster relief for drought-impacted businesses:
o The SBA announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available for businesses impacted by the drought beginning December 1, 2025.
o Eligible counties:
 Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington
o Application deadline - 12/10/2026
o To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster.

05/19/2026

Patriot Pitch Competition:
o SBA announced last week a new pitch competition for innovative businesses and $1 million in cash prizes
o Eligibility: open to eligible small businesses that represent the promise of American innovation and opportunity, and who have utilized qualifying SBA capital products.
o Judging criteria:
 strengthening American competitiveness
 innovating and demonstrating an outsized impact within an industry
 delivering economic opportunity and quality jobs
 showing strong fundamentals and ex*****on readiness

Small business owners interested in competing are encouraged to submit an application by June 10. Additional details on eligibility, competition stages, and event programming can be found at

Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary For 250 years, small businesses have powered innovation, created opportunity, and strengthened local communities. Main Street Builds America – and through Freedom 250, SBA is honoring that legacy while investing in the next generation of builders, makers, ...

05/13/2026

The NEC is hosting 2 FREE Work Smarter – Not Harder with QuickBooks in person workshops next week and would love your help promoting to your clients and members (we have also posted these workshops on many local organization calendars). This topic is not often taught in-person, so we would appreciate your sharing for anyone who learns best with hands-on training.

Attached are a PDF & JPEG for each date and location to share. The registration page is the same for both dates, so please share either or both dates. The NEC and CFLBIzLink have also posted on our social media pages, so you can share those posts if that is easier.

Work Smarter - Not Harder with QuickBooks to help small businesses.
Choose the date and location that best fits your schedule:
• Tuesday, May 19th in Kissimmee, in partnership with the City of Kissimmee, BBIF and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
• Friday, May 22nd in Heathrow / Seminole County, in partnership with Seminole County and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida

Attendees will walk away understanding:
• How to properly organize income and expenses to clean up messy books
• Avoid common QuickBooks mistakes that cost time and money
• What reports matter
• Simple workflows to save hours
• and so much more...

This is NOT a standard QuickBooks presentation. These are hands-on step-by-step guided workshops taught by a local certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor.

All attendees are encouraged to bring your laptop / tablet and QuickBooks account to work along with the workshop in real time.

Register Now – Seats are limited. https://cflbizlink.com/necworkshop/

04/30/2026

Space Coast Chamber
FREE Commercial Opportunity for Chamber Partners

Read on for more details!

We're reaching out on behalf of John Ward, journalist with U.S. News and Business Report, who is leading a feature article comparing the effectiveness of traditional cable TV commercials versus targeted online pre-roll ads (like those on YouTube).

04/30/2026

Important Reminder!
Secretary of State Cord Byrd Reminds Florida Businesses to File Annual Report before May 1 Deadline
“The May 1 deadline is fast approaching,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “I strongly encourage registered entities to file now to avoid the $400 late fee. Filing online at www.Sunbiz.org is the fastest and most convenient way to ensure your annual report is properly submitted to the Division of Corporations.” Get more information about filing before the deadline here: https://dos.fl.gov/communications/press-releases/2026/secretary-of-state-cord-byrd-reminds-florida-businesses-to-file-annual-report-before-may-1-deadline/

The Florida Department of State manages our state's elections, corporations, historical and cultural resources and our libraries.

04/02/2026

✨ We have very exciting news to share! ✨

The Florida SBDC at UCF has been named the SBA’s National Small Business Development Center of the Year 🏆—a tremendous honor that reflects the dedication, collaboration, and outstanding impact of the team 👏🤝.
This national recognition is also a testament to the exceptional leadership of Eunice Choi, Regional Director 🌟, whose vision and commitment over the past 28 years have helped build and sustain a true culture of excellence.
As Eunice prepares to retire this summer 🎓🌅, this achievement is a meaningful recognition of both her lasting legacy and the remarkable work of the entire UCF team.
The region will be celebrated alongside other national award winners in Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸 during National Small Business Week in early May 🗓️.

03/19/2026

03/18/2026

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
FACT SHEET – ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS

FLORIDA Declaration 21460
(Disaster: FL-20036)
Incident: FREEZE, FROST, AND ICE
occurring: January 23, 2026 through February 5, 2026
in the Florida counties of: Citrus, Hernando, Indian River, Jackson, Pasco, and St. Lucie; and the contiguous Florida counties of: Bay, Brevard, Calhoun, Gadsden, Hillsborough, Holmes, Levy, Liberty, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Sumter, and Washington
Application Filing Deadline: November 6, 2026

03/18/2026

SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Florida Small Businesses and
Private Nonprofits Affected by Freeze, Frost and Ice
Low interest disaster loans now available
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida who sustained economic losses caused by freeze, frost and ice occurring Jan. 23 – Feb. 5. The disaster declaration covers the Florida counties of Bay, Brevard, Calhoun, Citrus, Gadsden, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Levy, Liberty, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, St. Lucie, Sumter and Washington