Miami-Dade was recently honored as one of fDi Intelligence’s Major American Cities of the Future 2019/2020, during this year’s International Economic Development Council's (IEDC) Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Christine Johnson, Miami-Dade Beacon Council's Vice President of Innovation, graciously accepted the award on behalf of the community.

On Thursday, October 10th, Miami-Dade College (Wolfson Campus) hosted the next in the One Community One Goal Access Breakfast series, focused on Clean Energy and Resiliency. Florida Power & Light (FPL) President and CEO, Eric Silagy headlined the talk where he discussed FPL's ongoing efforts towards clean energy including nuclear and solar power. OCOG Co-Chairs, Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Nitin Motwani and Sheldon Anderson also spoke, as did Miami-Dade College's Executive Vice President and Provost, Lenore Rodicio. Mayor Gimenez touched on County-wide community initiatives while Ms. Rodicio focused on steps the College is taking to be a greener and more environmentally friendly facility.

MIAMI, Fla. – Slalom, the $1B modern consulting firm focused on strategy, technology, and business transformation, has opened its Miami office located in South Florida, with plans to debut several more offices across the state over the next 24 months. Slalom’s Florida offices will employ more than 600 people statewide.

Black Men Talk Tech will hold their inaugural conference on October 23-24th at The Penthouse at Riverside Wharf. This networking event, entitled Unicorn Ambition, is the only national tech conference which exclusively seeks to provide support and resources to Black Men tech founderslooking to turn their growing startups into “unicorns”. Specifically geared toward entrepreneurs who have launched or are scaling startups, Black Men Talk Tech is an entrepreneurship collective promoting collaborations between Black Men and other members of the tech ecosystem. TheMiami-Dade Beacon Council is proud to partner with this exciting initiative and look forward to seeing you all there. Register today using code BEACONCOUNCIL for a special discount.

October 2019- When the Opportunity Zones (OZs) were created by the federal government in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, they were focused on 8,764 across the 50 states covering almost 35 million Americans. The program was designed to direct investment to regions with an average poverty rate over 32%, compared with the national average of 17%.

For a man who “fell” into the customs brokers and shipping industry, Joseph Rhoden has become synonymous with what it takes to be successful and an honored veteran in this competitive business.

Caribbean Airlines has entered multiple agreements which will enable the carrier to provide cargo service for several countries in the region and destinations in North America.

MIRAMAR, FL  – The City of Miramar Commissioners have approved $500,000 in funding for a commercial rehabilitation project in Historic Miramar. The grant was awarded to B&M Bakery and West Indian Grocery, located at 6959 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33023. The funding is an initiative to assist commercial property owners in the Historic area of Miramar and to complement nearby neighborhood improvements such as the Shirley Branca Park Bandshell and streetscape.

Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.  – Caribbean Airlines announces the expansion of its Cargo network with the start of Cargo operations to/from Curacao effective October 04, 2019. 

As business hubs grow, the private sector must attract more talent to the area. But the Catch 22 for the government is that, as more people come, the more neighborhoods gentrify and the less affordable housing is available. Given this reality, how can Miami’s thirst for new talent be maintained? Through inventive new tax incentives, according to the city and state governments.

SEPTEMBER 2019 — It seems that more and more US cities are being labeled tech hubs every day, but Miami-based companies see a unique opportunity in the state that cannot be provided elsewhere. Instead of locking themselves into one market, Miami can provide startups a launch pad into the vast untapped Latin American market, and tech startups are flocking to the city in droves to take advantage of these opportunities.

MIAMI – Due to the proliferation of IOT (In the Internet of Things) technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and the increased automation of routine tasks, the business world is slated to change the professional landscape dramatically in the coming decade and beyond. In order to assist our residents with the skills they need, Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board (CRB), under the Office of Community Advocacy, and in partnership with Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, hosted a “Step into the Future – Employment in the Digital Age” workshop on Sept. 19, at the South-Dade Regional Library.