Hispanic Business Initiative Partners With Small Business Administration

The Hispanic Business Initiative Fund of Florida (HBIF) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) confirmed a strategic alliance Nov. 14 during an HBIF annual client meeting in Tampa.

The memorandum will allow the federal agency and statewide nonprofit organization to collaborate and share resources to help establish, maintain and expand small businesses throughout the State of Florida. Hispanic business owners from a broad range of industries who have received services through HBIF attended the event and witnessed the signing of the strategic alliance. The HBIF clients present also participated in a dialogue about the vision of HBIF for the upcoming year and shared their experiences with the various services HBIF offers.

SBA representatives from North and South Florida Districts attended the event and formally established the partnership agreement with HBIF. The strategic alliance memorandum launched by the federal agency and the statewide nonprofit organization will allow them to work together in support of the development of Hispanic-owned small businesses throughout the State of Florida.

“The purpose of this memorandum is to foster collaboration between SBA and HBIF to strengthen and expand the development of small businesses in the State of Florida,” said Jonel Hein, SBA Deputy Director for the South Florida District. “Both agencies offer services and resources that, when leveraged strategically, result more beneficial for small businesses.”

“This alliance with SBA allows us to offer relevant training and information to clients through the individual counseling and educational programs at HBIF,” said Augusto Sanabria, HBIF President & CEO. “Furthermore, it empowers our business specialists to offer the option of SBA loans, promotes mutual referrals and maximizes the services and resources we offer to Hispanic small business owners.”

About HBIF

The Hispanic Business Initiative Fund of Florida (HBIF) is the leading Hispanic economic development, nonprofit organization specializing in providing free bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their businesses in the state of Florida. For more than 20 years HBIF has promoted the Hispanic entrepreneur, offering programs and creating partnerships to advance economic development and foster job creation. HBIF is headquartered in Orlando and has offices in Tampa, Miami and Kissimmee. For more information, visitwww.HBIFFlorida.org.