Goldman Sachs allocates $15 Million to Help South Florida Small Businesses through its 10,000 Small Businesses Program
MIAMI, Fl, April 28, 2020 – Recognizing the importance of the South Florida business community, which has been greatly impacted due to COVID-19, Miami Dade College (MDC), home of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in South Florida, is reinforcing its support for local businesses.
During a recent virtual press conference hosted by David M. Solomon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs, and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio who helped launch MDC’s program in 2013, joined by Everett Sands, President and CEO of Lendistry, and Jennifer Robertson-Ahrens, 10,000 Small Businesses alumna and president and CEO of Robertson Forwarding, Goldman Sachs announced the allocation of $15 million in loans to Florida’s small businesses as part of its 10,000 Small Businesses program. The funds will enable Lendistry to offer loans through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to business owners and non-profits across Florida that have been unable to submit a PPP application through another lending institution.
“Small businesses and entrepreneurs are among the most affected sectors of our local economy and Miami Dade College is proud to be part of the solution that could help these companies bounce back from the crisis so they can continue to create jobs and thrive in our community,” said MDC’s Executive Vice President and Provost, Dr. Lenore Rodicio. “This is one of several ways in which MDC is giving back to South Florida in this moment of great necessity and we are glad to be here to lend our support.”
Powered by the Goldman Sachs Foundation, the 10,000 Small Businesses program is designed to help small business owners discover how to grow their business.
The program was launched in 2013 when MDC and Goldman Sachs initially entered a five-year, $5 million partnership to deliver the 10,000 Small Business program in Miami. Applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Owner or co-owner of a business
- Business in operation for at least two years
- Business revenues of at least $150,000 in the most recent fiscal year
- Minimum of four employees, including the owner
To date, more than 500 South Florida-based companies have participated in the program, including: Panther Coffee, Amicon Construction, RFC Logistics, Prizm Art Fair, Bio Response Corporation, Intranet Communications Group (ICG), Excellent Fruit and Produce and Azucar Ice Cream, among many others.
“We thank Goldman Sachs for their continued commitment to the 10,000 Small Businesses Program at Miami Dade College and helping us be a resource to the greater small business community,” said Pamela Fuertes, Executive Director Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program at MDC. “Through this economic development initiative, we are able to help companies stay and grow in our community and guide small business entrepreneurs to move forward with scaling their businesses and investing in South Florida.”
Applications for the next cohort are being accepted and the deadline to apply is June 9, 2020.
For more information, please visit http://www.10KSBapply.com or email, Maurice Gray, Director, Business Support Services at mgray2@mdc.edu. Participation in the program is underwritten by the Goldman Sachs Foundation.