The last Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council project of 2019 was for 14 professionals from South Asia who traveled here for meetings and for a final evaluation of their national project. They traveled to Pensacola on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), an international exchange of the U.S. Department of State, to look at Fostering Incubators for Economic Growth and Development.
They first went to Co:Lab where they toured the facility and meet with Director/Business Coach Patrick Rooney and local entrepreneurs for insight into the benefits and services of the incubator. The facility provides affordable office space in a central, downtown location, meeting rooms, a business center, free WiFi, and a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs can interact and exchange ideas.
Business Consultant Kyle Polhlopek at the Small Business Development Network at the University of West Florida next briefed the group on the programs and incentives available to small business developers. At a separate meeting, Executive Director Brian Wyer of the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce discussed the importance of minority-owned small businesses in creating wealth and driving economic development in underserved communities.
At the Studer Community Institute, Chief of Staff D.C. Reeves explored the contribution of small businesses to community development work and shared his own entrepreneurial path. The Studer Community Institute is working to help local leaders grow their companies and help Pensacola achieve its potential by providing programs, workshops, webinars, online content, and toolkits designed to help create great places to work.
District 2 Council Member Sherri F. Myers met the group at Pensacola City Hall to provide insight into the history of the area as well as an overview of the local economy and current demographics, focusing on the economic challenges present in the region and the importance of small businesses to the its economy. After a thorough discussion, she presented them with a gift from Mayor Grover Robinson, Honorary Citizenship Certificates with the City of Pensacola.
An informal community coffee with local business leaders, a quick stop for a hospitality gift at Visit Pensacola, a Winterfest trolley tour, and the wonder of Gallery Night with the illumination of 400,000 holiday lights in downtown Pensacola rounded out their stay.
We extend a special thank you to volunteers Norma Fields, Stephen Terry, and Julie Tippins Parker for assisting with the facilitation of this project. It was a wonderful way to end 2019.
