Back to Business Box (BBB)

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

The Miami-Dade County (County) Internal Services Department (ISD) Small Business Development (SBD) Division is responsible for the implementation of programs that ensure County contracts are meeting their goals to support small and local businesses in the County. There are currently 1,908 small and disadvantaged businesses certified with SBD. 21% of total County contract awards, valued at $1.3 billion, were awarded to small businesses.On March 12, 2020, the County declared a State of Local Emergency due to spread of COVID-19 in the community. This order imposed restrictions or closure on many businesses in the County in order to protect the safety and health of the County’s residents and employees. When the restrictions started to be lifted, the County established New Normal Guidelines to increase the safety measures businesses must follow in order to reopen their doors to the public. Since many businesses were financially impacted by the restrictions, and to support the safe re-opening of businesses in the County, SBD developed and implemented the Back to Business Box (BBB) Program. To assist with the safety requirements, Miami-Dade County provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to small businesses. SBD led the development and implementation efforts alongside Information Technology Department (ITD) and ISD Materials Management.