Funds Still Available for Small Business Job Creation Program

From Hillsborough County Government Online:

Small businesses in Hillsborough County continue to take advantage of the County’s Job Creation Incentive Program. Since the Board of County Commissioners launched the Small Business Job Creation Program in March 2011, 114 new jobs have been created.

Currently, 61 businesses have applied for the funds and 87 of those new employees have already been hired with the average worker making about $15 an hour. Thirteen of the businesses that have reached their six-month anniversary in the program report an increase in their gross sales revenues.

“Things are definitely starting to turn the corner,” said Commissioner Sandra L. Murman, who spearheaded the Job Creation Program. “It’s an encouraging sign for our economy that businesses are taking advantage of this program by hiring workers and growing their companies in our community.”

The 61 businesses have received a total of nearly $379,000 and more than $121,000 is still available for small business owners to hire new employees.

The program is designed to promote job creation in Hillsborough County by offering a wage reimbursement to small business owners. The reimbursement pays small businesses up to 50 percent of three months’ total salary for new jobs created, capped at $3,900 per new employee.

Small business owners can visit the Hillsborough County Small, Minority Business Development Section’s website at: www.hillsboroughcounty.org/econdev/ to find out about the program’s requirements and download an application, or call 813-914-4028.