STEVE FOREMAN

Since 1974, the South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC/Council) has served as the regional planning agency for Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Broward counties. It is governed by a public/private board of county and municipal elected and appointed officials from three counties. The Council supports the region’s elected leaders and public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders through regional, collaborative planning and the development and implementation of programs and strategies including economic development and revolving loan fund programs.

The SFRPC Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program was established to assist businesses following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, which on August 24, 1992, ravaged South Florida, particularly southern Miami-Dade County. Today, the SFRPC continues to serve small- and medium-size businesses who seek financial capital to grow their businesses but are unable to obtain conventional financing. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) partnered with the Council to capitalize a new $5.38 million CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund for businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19. These funds are being utilized to help alleviate sudden and severe economic dislocation caused by the coronavirus in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. To date, this program has provided 31 businesses with the tools and financial resources ($6.37MM) they need to continue their recovery from the pandemic and keep Floridians working.

We proudly present the MEDWeek2022 Legacy Award to SFRPC for outstanding performance in funding MBES during the COVID-19 Pandemic. CONGRATULATIONS!