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North Miami economic development director outlines business support, workforce and tech initiatives
Summary
Interim Deputy City Manager and Economic Development Director John Lorfield described how the City of North Miami helps small businesses navigate licensing, leverages CRA and TIF incentives for development, promotes transit as an asset, and is developing workforce and technology programs including a trades pilot and the NOMI TECH initiative.
Interim Deputy City Manager and Economic Development Director John Lorfield told viewers of the City of North Miami’s Know Me Insider program that his department focuses on helping businesses navigate city processes, connecting entrepreneurs to funding and technical assistance, and developing workforce pathways tied to local institutions and contractors.
Lorfield said the department’s work “is growing and strengthening our North Miami community to empower our residents so they can prosper and thrive.” He described services that include early assistance for new businesses to obtain a certificate of use and business tax receipt, connections to grants and loan opportunities, and referrals for technical assistance.
The department also uses incentives tied to the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Lorfield said CRA programs and tax-increment-financing (TIF) grant opportunities can support façade improvements, tenant build-outs and capacity-building grants for developers and existing businesses. “Our CRA has a plethora of opportunities for developers, for new businesses, existing businesses, anywhere from facade improvements, the build outs, capacity building grants, and TIF grant funding,” he said.
Lorfield emphasized transportation assets as an economic-development selling point, noting North Miami’s trolley service and “the train stop that’s coming” as factors that make the city attractive to businesses that rely on customer and employee access. He said those transportation links, along with incentives, help attract firms to the city.
On workforce development, Lorfield described partnerships with local educational institutions and employers. He said the department has entered into agreements or discussions with Barry University, Miami Dade College and Florida International University and is working with trade schools and contractors to align training with employer needs. “We’re looking to launch a pilot program this new fiscal year for anyone who’s interested in commercial vehicle driving and mechanics,” he said, describing the pilot as focused on trades that are in high demand.
Lorfield also reviewed the NOMI TECH initiative, a city program launched in April 2023 and championed, he said, by Councilwoman Marius Mayer Irvin. He said the city designated April as NOMI TECH Month and ran events aimed at residents of all ages to introduce them to opportunities in the technology sector, from entrepreneurship to workforce skills. “The NOMI TECH initiative is focused on providing those opportunities for anyone within the city of North Miami that’s interested in getting into the tech space,” Lorfield said.
In closing remarks aimed at young residents, Lorfield urged community involvement: “So I would tell them to get involved. Get connected, you know, get involved within the community. Volunteer your time, get to know people, learn how to network.”
The interview described programs, partnerships and planned initiatives but did not specify formal council votes, funding amounts, exact pilot start dates, or the status of any required approvals. Lorfield identified partner institutions and general incentive tools; the transcript did not include details on adopted ordinances, contracts, or specific budget allocations tied to the items he described.
