Commissioner Eileen Higgins’ “Elevate District 5” initiative kicks off National Small Business Week with a packed schedule and fresh opportunities for local business owners
National Small Business Week is right around the corner, and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins is making sure District 5 shows up and shows out for its entrepreneurs.
From May 5 through May 9, small business owners across the district will get the chance to grow, learn, connect, and tap into valuable resources through a weeklong celebration filled with workshops, networking events, grant opportunities, and much more.
Commissioner Higgins announced the 2025 Small Business Week event lineup as part of her ongoing “Elevate District 5” initiative. The goal is to strengthen small businesses by giving them the tools and support they need to thrive.
“Small businesses are the heart of District 5. They create jobs, define the unique character of our neighborhoods, and drive our economy,” said Commissioner Higgins. “This week is all about celebrating them and giving them even more fuel to keep going.”
Workshops, grants, and breakfast (with a side of opportunity)
The week kicks off on Monday, May 5, with virtual “Mom and Pop” Grant Application Workshops, one in English at 11 a.m. and one in Spanish at 2 p.m.
These sessions are designed to help small business owners apply for grants of up to $2,500. The money can be used for just about anything business-related, like rent, inventory, or marketing.
Registration is available at bit.ly/mompopworkshop, and the actual grant application window will run from May 12 to May 23.
On Tuesday, May 6, the focus turns to food-related businesses with a FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) Roundtable and Permit Seminar. This event will be held at Mindwarehouse (111 NE 1st St., 8th Floor).
It will cover how to keep your kitchen compliant and grease traps in check (a must-know for restaurants and food services). The roundtable will be hybrid, so virtual folks can join too at bit.ly/fogclinic. However, the permit seminar is in person only.
Come Wednesday morning, it’s time for some power networking at The Idea Center at Miami Dade College. From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., small business owners will meet over breakfast to talk about Access to Capital, including loans, grants, and other funding tools.
For brand-new businesses that are ready to expand, this is the event to get funding tips and connect with the right people. RSVP at bit.ly/capitalbreakfast.
AI, innovation, and Friday fun
On Thursday, May 8, things go digital with a webinar on How to Grow Your Business Using Artificial Intelligence. Experts Patricia Tavira Muñoz and Monique Salomon will share smart, practical ways to use AI to save time and scale your business. It’s all online from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., and you can tune in at bit.ly/d5aiwebinar.
Finally, on Friday, May 9, it’s time to celebrate the businesses that make District 5 feel like home. Commissioner Higgins invites everyone to Shop, Dine, and Support District 5 Small Businesses.
So, don’t forget to dine at your favorite café or purchase something from the local gift shop to show love for the businesses that shape our community.
More about “Elevate District 5”
The “Elevate District 5” is a program that takes feedback from business owners and combines it with data to figure out what’s working, what’s not, and how to close the gap. That means more training, better tech tools, easier access to resources, and smarter ways to grow.
Commissioner Higgins has made small business support a central part of her work in office. With initiatives like this, she’s handing out resources to build a stronger, more connected business community in Miami.
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