Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District Hosts Successful Small Business and Entrepreneurship Resource Fair

Business Community & Services

Orange County’s Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) recently hosted the second annual Pine Hills Small Business and Entrepreneurship Resource Fair at the Soiree Event and Convention Center. Pine Hills business owners were encouraged to attend the event to expand their professional network and learn about services that can help grow their business.

“The goal of this event is to provide the resources to enhance local businesses’ capability and survivability. It is important to educate our business owners on the opportunities Orange County offers,” said Michelle Owens, Executive Director of the Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District. “We know that strong business communities lead to strong neighborhoods.”

The Pine Hills NID was created by Orange County Government in December 2011 as a recommendation from the Pine Hills Business Redevelopment Task Force. The group focuses on revitalizing the Pine Hills economy by strengthening local businesses, eliminating and reducing crime that is negatively impacting the business community and overall improving the public image of Pine Hills.

The three-hour business event showcased informational booths from local business organizations, including the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund, SCORE, UCF Business Incubator, Black Business Initiative Fund, Orange County Neighborhood Preservation & Revitalization Division and many others. Each provided information on best practices for business owners and financial support for business growth, including the opportunity to meet with area lenders and receive counsel from professional and nonprofit service providers.

Cynthia Tucker, who attended the event for the first time, owns Cynthia Tucker Sewing in Pine Hills and has been a small business owner for 13 years.

“I came to the resource fair to learn about the financial opportunities available to me as I consider taking my business to the next level,” Tucker said. “The event provided all the information I needed and I look forward to continuing to work with the Pine Hills NID to further enhance my business.”

Photos from the Pine Hills Small Business and Entrepreneurship Resource Fair may be found on Flickr for use by the media.

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