By Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland
December 13, 2004

West Palm Beach (FL) Mayor Lois Frankel and Partner America Chairman George Cloutier met nearly one year ago to discuss the importance of small business and discuss ways to promote and encourage small businesses to locate and grow in West Palm Beach. Today, under the direction of Frankel, the city of Palm Beach is in the process of setting up a 'One Stop Shop Small Business Center' to promote and foster small business development. "The goal is to provide entrepreneurs and small businesses owners with the tools necessary to start-up, sustain or expand their business," according to Frankel. The services offered to small business will include access to counseling, training and education, information on procurement opportunities, workforce development assistance and an information resource center. West Palm Beach is working with numerous partners from both the public and private sectors, including the United States Small Business Administration, local universities, and private institutions like American Express and Wachovia Bank.

Cloutier commended Frankel for her commitment to small business and hopes that other cities will see the success in West Palm Beach and duplicate in cities across the country. "Mayor Frankel's visionary approach to encouraging small business growth is an excellent example of what is possible in cities across America. Mayoral support of small business is integral to the success of local economies," Cloutier said.

If you have a small business best practice or would like more information about how the Partner America Program can help small businesses in your city, you can send email to Jeffrey Bean, Partner America Managing Director at jbean@amserv.com.