Palm Beach North Chamber unveils pbnbiz.com, FAU SBDC partnership to help Riviera Beach small businesses

Representatives of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce told the Riviera Beach City Council on Oct. 1 that two new initiatives aim to provide a one-stop source of tools and free consulting for local small businesses.

Noel Martinez, president and CEO of the Palm Beach North Chamber, said the chamber is launching a local business resource center website (pbnbiz.com) designed as a single portal for entrepreneurs to find step-by-step guides, mentorship, events and links to countywide resources. Martinez invited the newly sworn youth council to attend an October 23 mayor's breakfast that will spotlight municipal updates.

Caitlin Bergman, the chamber's director of strategic initiatives, described pbnbiz.com as a curated site with business-plan guides, cybersecurity and emergency-management tips, and access to mentorship and events. She said the site will link to resources from all 11 Palm Beach North municipalities and that the chamber will work with Riviera Beach officials to tailor materials.

Sandra Marin, regional director of Florida Atlantic University's Small Business Development Center (SBDC), said FAU'SBDC serves Broward and Palm Beach counties with about 30 consultants and provides no-cost, confidential technical assistance for capital access, government contracting, international trade and disaster recovery. Marin said the SBDC and the chamber plan to host events and a satellite presence at the chamber office to expedite consultations for local businesses.

Council members thanked presenters and emphasized that the resources are free and open to non-chamber members. The chamber pledged to share links and follow up with staff to coordinate outreach and programming in Riviera Beach.

No formal council action was required for the presentation; staff and council expressed support for continued collaboration.