Florida’s Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and Diversity, Equity, & Customer Advocacy Program Office has announced the launch of a local small business (LSBE) and micro-local small business program (Micro-SBE).

The agency's press release states the goal of the program is to “stimulate the local economy by supporting small businesses and promoting equal opportunities for the local business community”.  The program will help to integrate local firms with Jacksonville’s public works.

Certification applications are already being accepted for businesses based in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, or in St. Johns Counties. In order to be accepted the small business must have averaged less than $3M in revenue over the past years or fewer years, if the comapny has not been operating for that long.  The majority ownership of the business must be by individuals who have a net worth under $1.32M.

While the LSBE Contract Specific Goal will be used for non-federal funded construction project that are over $100,000, the Micro-SBE “sheltered market” program will be instituted for non-federal funded contracts valued under $35,000.

Prime contractors utilizing certified-LSBE or Micro-SBEs on Jacksonville transportation authority projects can receive bid discounts, a fact that will help encourage the active participation of local small businesses in public works projects.

For more see: https://www.jtafla.com/business-center/lsbe-micro-lsbe-programs/