Efforts to strengthen the County’s economy include the attraction, retention, and expansion of businesses through a partnership with the Beacon Council, encouragement of international trade, and special programs for entrepreneurs and small businesses.  Department Performance Reports & Business Plans  Help us make this website better, provide us your valuable feedback.

Unemployment Rate   US - 4.6% FL - 4.0% Miami-Dade - 3.8% More than 33 million travelers flew out of Miami International Airport in 2007.

Highlights The Beacon Council, in partnership with Miami-Dade County, helped 20 businesses open new offices in Miami-Dade County, representing 190,000 new square feet and $31 million in estimated capital investment. The Beacon Council also successfully retained or expanded six local operations, which added over 450,000 square feet of commercial/industrial space and an estimated investment of over $36 million. The 26 projects added a total of 1,556 new direct and indirect jobs.      The Department of Small Business Development provided specialized training and assistance to 167 certified small businesses to become qualified for bonding and loan opportunities during 2007.  Additionally, 850 contracts for a value of $205 million were awarded to small business as primes and/or subcontractors.   The County's largest economic engines, Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami, served more passengers than last year: Airport: 33.23 million passengers   Port of Miami: 3.79 million passengers