Miami Lakes EDC cancels Local Intel subscription, approves $500 for Main Street Live marketing

The Town of Miami Lakes Economic Development Committee voted on Feb. 12 to cancel the committee's Local Intel subscription and moved budget authority toward event marketing, including a $500 allocation for the Main Street Live music series.

The committee agreed to end the Local Intel arrangement after discussion of timing and the service's delivery dates. Committee members noted the subscription's renewal and the requirement to notify vendors 60 days ahead of a July event; the cancellation motion carried with committee approval (vote tally not specified in the meeting record).

The committee also approved spending up to $500 from its marketing line for targeted advertising for the Main Street Live event scheduled Feb. 21 (the committee intends to use the money for a mix of social ads and an Eventbrite promotion). Committee members asked staff to manage the ad buy and to adjust allocation across platforms if one channel performs better.

Separately, members voted to participate in the Feb. 26 networking social hosted by the Miami Beach Chamber; committee members authorized procedures to obtain a W-9 and invoice for the town's participation fee. The committee also discussed a broader annual marketing plan that includes networking socials in January, April, September and December and a Best of Miami Lakes program; members asked to receive final nominations and category edits by August so the chamber and town teams can coordinate promotion in time for fall deadlines.

On Main Street Live the committee agreed to work with Felicia from the Cultural Affairs Committee, form a small subcommittee to coordinate logistics and sponsorships, and to provide marketing support for the immediate (Feb. 21) show; the committee intends to reassess and expand support if the initial dates draw a larger audience.

Budget context: committee members reviewed the EDC budget and reported a $19,000 annual allotment with a current balance used for marketing and events. Committee discussion referenced a marketing miscellaneous balance of approximately $45,100 (figure discussed during meeting) and a presently available amount of roughly $35,100 for marketing after accounting items already committed.

Votes at a glance

- Cancel Local Intel subscription — outcome: approved; vote tally not specified; notes: committee directed staff to end the subscription because renewal timing conflicted with planned events and notice requirements. - Participate in Miami Beach Chamber networking social (Feb. 26) — outcome: approved; motion carried; notes: staff to collect W-9 and invoice. - Allocate $500 for Main Street Live marketing (meta/Eventbrite/print mix) — outcome: approved; motion carried; notes: staff authorized to adjust spend across platforms based on performance.

The committee said it will follow up with staff to confirm exact budget allocations and the accounting line items used for the charges, and will return to the subject of larger marketing buys during the next budget cycle.

Ending: Committee leaders asked members to review Best of Miami Lakes categories on the chamber web page and return any suggested changes by August so the committee and chamber can synchronize timelines with school and media calendars.