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City launches Build & Bloom to coordinate small‑business supports; commission debates overlap with Lauderhill Shines
Summary
Lauderhill staff described Build & Bloom, a grant‑funded umbrella program to coordinate technical assistance, contracting access and financial supports for local entrepreneurs; commissioners debated possible overlap and how (or whether) to integrate the commissioner‑led Lauderhill Shines program.
City economic development staff used the April 20 workshop to present Build & Bloom, an NLC SEI grant‑funded initiative designed to coordinate existing business supports — from training to contracting and access to capital — and to target gaps identified by local entrepreneurs.
"This initiative is supporting and strengthening our community and businesses based off of their direct feedback," an economic development coordinator said, describing focus groups and surveys that prioritized government contracting access, networking and financial assistance.
Build & Bloom intends to stitch existing city programs and partners together — including technical assistance, vendor registration support with the Lauderhill Chamber and outreach to small businesses for subcontract opportunities — and to evolve based on participant feedback.
The presentation prompted an extended commission debate about overlap with Lauderhill Shines, a program associated with Commissioner Dunn. Dunn asked why the city would run courses similar to Shines’ business‑basics program and requested curriculum comparisons. Staff said the Build & Bloom offering is intended to be an umbrella and gap‑filling program that serves entrepreneurs at multiple stages (pre‑startup ideation to operating businesses) without replacing existing successful cohorts.
Vice Mayor Richard Campbell and other commissioners stressed the prior commission directive to keep individual elected officials’ discretionary initiatives distinct from city programs, and commissioners urged staff to maintain clear separation while ensuring residents may access city services. Staff said they continue to work with the chamber and other partners and will provide curriculum and partner details to clarify overlap.
What's next: staff will follow up with curriculum comparisons between Build & Bloom modules and Lauderhill Shines, continue partner coordination, and report back with options for integrating or aligning services without duplicating efforts.
