Economic Initiatives + ACCESS Miami

About ACCESS Miami

ACCESS Miami collaborates with local partners to offer customized, year-round financial empowerment opportunities. Services include:

• Financial seminars and workshops
• Free tax preparation services
• Training programs and job listings
• Small business support and resources

This initiative is a citywide strategy to increase access to financial education and tools essential for economic prosperity and self-sufficiency. By leveraging community-wide resources, ACCESS Miami improves access to benefits, capital, asset accumulation, and financial literacy.

Data Dashboard

The City of Miami, in partnership with eIMPACT, has developed an economic data dashboard to empower our community with real insights into the local economy. This interactive tool offers an analysis of small business activity, workforce skill trends, and the broader economic impact across the city.

By leveraging data-driven insights, the dashboard supports informed decision-making for entrepreneurs, policymakers, workforce developers, and residents alike—fostering inclusive economic growth and resilience throughout Miami.

DATA DASHBOARD

- TAX SITES ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED -

Free Tax Preparation Assistance

Having your income tax return properly prepared each year is very important! Each year, the City of Miami and ACCESS Miami provide FREE tax return preparation for qualifying residents. Services include:

• Electronic tax filing at no cost
• Assistance with Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) claims
• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) support

EITC is one of the nation's largest anti-poverty programs, annually lifting millions out of poverty. In Florida, over 2 million residents claim EITC, generating over $5.1 billion in tax credits.

Find the nearest tax site:

View Flyer and Locations(PDF, 243KB)

For more information, call 311.

Financial Coaching & Workshops

ACCESS Miami provides financial coaching to help residents develop money management skills, track finances, and achieve personal financial goals. Topics include:

• Credit and money management
• Foreclosure mitigation
• Debt reduction strategies

For more information, contact: humanservices@miamigov.com

Access HOPE
A joint initiative between ACCESS Miami, Operation HOPE, Inc., and SunTrust Bank, providing:

• Financial literacy workshops
• Credit and money management counseling
• Foreclosure prevention assistance

For details, call 305-904-5298 or email ana.rojas@operationhope.org. Visit Operation HOPE for locations.

Apprisen
Apprisen offers money management solutions and financial education. For more information, visit www.apprisen.com or call 1-800-355-2227.

Click Here for a Detailed Road Map(PDF, 103KB)

What is Miami Business Solutions?

The City of Miami’s Office of Grants Administration - Economic Initiatives is at the forefront of providing small business owners with information and support to help their small businesses grow. The new Miami Business Solutions Resource Guide was created as a way to encourage entrepreneurism and small business development. Starting your business can be difficult at times. The guide seeks to help you along the way by providing resources and basic information to get you started in the right direction.

View Miami Business Solutions Guide(PDF, 4MB)

Local Business Resources

• Buy Miami – Advertise your small business for free at www.buymiami.biz.
• Miami MBDA Export Center – Offers export training, sales leads, and financial assistance at www.mbda.gov. Contact joy@mbdaexport.com or marie@mgillonline.com.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) – Provides funding and technical support for startups. Visit www.sba.gov or call (305) 536-5521.
• Employ Florida – Find job market insights, employer incentives, and training grants at www.employflorida.com.
• Beacon Council – Supports Miami-Dade County's business climate. Visit www.beaconcouncil.com.
• SBDC Miami-Dade – Offers free business counseling. Contact SBDC@FIU.EDU or call 305-779-9230.
• O*NET Online – Provides occupational data and career tools at www.onetonline.org.
• Grameen Bank – Provides financial services and resources for economic empowerment at www.grameenamerica.org.

Micro-Lending & Business Loans

• Accion USA - A nonprofit micro-lender offering small business loans and financial education nationwide. Provides affordable capital to entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional loans. Supports job creation and local economies. The City of Miami’s micro-lending partner for over 20 years. www.accioneast.org
• South Florida Regional Planning Council Revolving Loan Fund - Loans between $50,000 and $300,000 for small and medium-sized businesses seeking expansion. Offers business development support and government partnerships to aid in loan applications. www.sfrpc.com
• Micro-Enterprise Assistance & Peer Lending - Helps entrepreneurs build credit, strengthen business skills, and receive peer support. Direct loans range from $5,000 to $25,000 based on business financial health. www.partnersforselfemployment.com

Small Business Grants

• Mom & Pop Small Business Grant - Provides financial and technical support to small businesses. Applicants must have been in business for at least one year. Applications typically open in January. Contact Neighbors and Neighbors Association: 305-756-0605.
• Find a Grant or Loan - Various funding opportunities for new and growing businesses in the City and County. https://www.miamidade.gov/business/starting-a-business.asp
• Grants.gov - A centralized platform for federal grant applications. www.grants.gov

State Business Resources

• Florida Enterprise Zones - Offers information on Florida's Enterprise Zones and business incentives. https://www.miamidade.gov/
• Florida Small Business - Comprehensive resources for small business growth in Florida.
• Florida Export Finance Corporation - Assists small Florida exporters who lack access to traditional financing. https://www.floridatrend.com/small-business/
• State of Florida Division of Corporations - Provides online business registration, research, and electronic processing services. https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/

Federal Small Business Resources

• Small Business Administration (SBA) - Offers financial, technical, and management support for small businesses. https://www.sba.gov/
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for Small Businesses - Provides tax guidance and interactive learning tools for business owners.
• • IRS Business Resources
  • Tax Workshop
• SCORE - Business Mentoring & Education - A nonprofit partner of the SBA offering free mentorship and expert business resources. https://www.score.org/miamidade