Youth Entrepreneur Success Online Store

Link to STORE

Registration for the upcoming Youth Entrepreneur Success (YES) program will begin on December 10th thru the 17th.

If you are 17 - 25 and want to learn how to start your own business while contributing to your Community then you may qualify for the EDGE Centers Youth Entrepreneur Success program.

If you want to earn money towards a scholarship or just learn how to develop your own business we can show you how.

Learn more about the program and how to register for the 16 week course.

Glades Tri-Cities Coalition

The Cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay Commissioners organize to bring the Glades together on issues of mutual concern.

The group has voted that Mayor Steve Wilson will chair the coalition.

The organization has created committees for Economic Development and Education, they will hold monthly meetings.

The first project that the Committee will present is the:
Talent Showcase- Spirit of the Tri-Cities
The event will take place on December 20th, 2008 at the Belle Glade Amphitheater on Torry Island Road.

View Larger Map

For more information about the Coalition and its plans visit their information website at www.tri-citiesonline.info

Besure to stop by the EDGE Center Booth and register to win a 7 day cruise.

Small Business Videos

Small Business Videos

Investing in the Glades Workshops

Free workshops are presented by EDWARD Jones Co.  Food will be served at all workshops and is sponsored by Partnerships of the EDGE.  To reserve a seat please call today 561-993-3343 ext 102. 

$

Special Offering for Business Owners in the Glades

Are you looking for a way to increase your business income in the Glades? If you answered yes, then continue reading.

The Enterprise Development for Glade Entrepreneurs (EDGE) Center has a special business offering that is for Business owners who want to show their support of entrepreneuralism in the Glades Communities.

We are expanding our Partnership Link program for the upcoming 2009 year and now is the time to join with the EDGE to market your business while showing support for your community.

When you signup for a partnership link with the EDGE you will receive the following benefits to market your business for one low price:

1. Your provided marketing materials (business cards/brochures) will be displayed in the EDGE offices lobby.
2. Business Referrals for your services will be provided to inquirers by the EDGE staff.
3. A link from our website to your website or an electronic business card will be placed on the EDGE website.
4. Once a year a mass mailing of your marketing materials will be emailed or mailed to the EDGE client database.
5. You will receive the Business Spot Light Recognition Award from the City Mayor.
6. You will receive a FREE Spot Light on your business ad in the local newspaper and on the EDGE BLOG.
7. You will be receive a partnership card that will entitle you to discounts on services and products at participating businesses.
8. You will be notified of Professional Networking opportunities that will be offered by the Belle Glade & Pahokee Chambers of Commerce and Palm Beach County Economic Development.

$150.00 per year

(tax deductible as a business expense)

This offering for partnership services is from 10/1/08 - 9/30/09.

This special is only being offered between August 1 thru September 30th, 2008.

As an incentive to register early you will receive A personalized 4" x 8" paver brick engraved with your business name that will be placed on the walkway of the new Innovation Center and your choice of a 7 night cruise for 2 or $300 worth of free gasoline. (ask us how you can offer great travel incentives for your customers)

Payment for this program must be received at time of registration we accept credit card payments through paypal, business checks, and cash.

We can help you to make your business be all that it can be. Don't be the only business who didn't take advantage of this opportunity, call us today.

561-993-3343 or EDGE Email

Reaching Out

The departure of USSC will open new doors for those who have a business idea and have always wanted their very own business. Now is the time to do what you have always wanted to do.

At the EDGE Center in Belle Glade we are reaching out to Hendry and Glades County and we are prepared to assist with:

business planning
research and feasibility studies
networking referrals
employee referrals
technology training
financial assistance
marketing plan and cooperative marketing
website design and development
clerical assistance.
office services.
professional certifications
office space
conference room use
wifi
Good old fashion hand holding and motivation.

The EDGE Center has served the business community of Belle Glades, South Bay, Pahokee, and Canal Point since 1997 as the Economic Development Center in the Glades. The EDGE is funded by Palm Beach County Economic Development Office and the Palm Beach County Commission, the USDA Rural Assistance program, SFWMD, PBCC and client fees.

Currently the EDGE is renovating the Old Belle Glade City Hall that when completed will be used as the new Business Innovation Center of the Glades. Grand Opening date is scheduled for December 2008.

We are currently located in the Historical Area of Belle Glade at 241 W Ave A. Belle Glade, FL.

If you have a vision that you want to make reality then Call today to schedule an appointment 561-993-3343

Enterprise Development for Glades Entrepreneurs Center is a not-for profit (501(c)3) business resource and incubation center, whose vision is to develop joint ventures with non-profit and for profit companies to fulfill the mission of the EDGE to assist in starting new businesses and expanding businesses to create safer, happier, healthier, and prosperous diverse communities in the Glades Region.
http://www.edgecenter.info

Board Members- Betty Boyer, Douglas Green, Reggie O' Connor, Derrek Moore, Mary O. Evans, Tracy Harrell, John Wilson, Elizabeth Cayson

Emerging Business Network Mentors- Paul Skyers, Dr. Jimmy Klaber, Vicky Silver

Executive Director- Suzanne Harper

Incubator Manager- Javier Tejada

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Petition for Support

Petition powered by ThePetitionSite.com

Betty Boyer honored at GIN

At the May 5 Glades Initiative Community Service Awards banquet Betty Boyer, Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the EDGE Center was awarded the Community Service Award for her contributions to the residents and businesses of Western Palm Beach County.

Betty married Bill Boyer 42 years ago and has 3 children 7 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Together Betty and Bill own and operate a field grown tree farm called Plant and Grow Nursery, Inc.
Some of Betty's prouds contributions include:

• Her 11 years of service as a Board member of the EDGE Center a non-profit business incubator since 1997.
• As a guardian ad litem for 17 years she was awarded the guardian of the year award from the Florida Dept of Law Enforcement. She is currently on the Citizens for National Security Task force.
• She has served faithfully as a member of NAACP, Republican Executive Committee district 100, Past President of American Legion Aux Post 161 south Bay, Past President south Bay Crime Watch, past disaster chairperson for the American Red Cross, Member of the Board of Adjustment in South Bay, past Chairman for the South Bay Beautification committee, A member of the Cuban American club, partnership for neighborhood initiative, Belle Glade chamber of Commerce, First woman member of the Belle Glade Elks Lodge, BG Boat Lock Committee and procurement committee, Belle Glade Zoning Board member of the Belle Glade Garden Club, member of the BG Weed and Seed program, Past Citizen on Patrol for Belle Glade, Past crime watch Belle Glade, Member of the Arthur R. Marshall foundation, Member of the first Baptist church, and a political activist .
• Most recently while waiting to attend a meeting at City Hall, Betty selflessly paid the $1300 monthly water bill of a desperate resident because the person had small children and couldn’t afford to pay the incorrect bill.

Betty is known for her kind heart and giving and the Board of Directors of the EDGE proudly honored her with this award for her contributions to the residents of the Glades.

The Secret that Sells...........

FREE Workshop Thursday March 27, 2008

1PM-3PM at 241 W Ave A, Belle Glade, FL.

Learn how motivational marketing can help to sell your products. This program will teach you how to develop advertising that gets results.

Attendees will be have the opportunity to register to win 2 Free roundtrip airline tickets valued at $1500. Drawing will be held at the end of the workshop.

Seating is limited call 993-3343 today to reserve a seat.

Town Meeting March 18th

On March 18th at the Belle Glade Quarterly Town Meeting, City Manager Bill Underwood announced the 2008 Business of the Year and the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year.  The nominees were selected based on their community contributions and the economic development contributions to the City of Belle Glade during the 2007 year.

The '2008 Business of the Year' goes to Lake Welding Supplies, Inc, a family owned corporation who has served Western Glades County for the past 49 years.  The Company provides 10 full time jobs that include benefits and most of the employees have served the company continuously. In 2007 the company upgraded their facilities and added computerization and online marketing via their website at www.lakeweldingsupplies.com.  They also donated $13,000 to the County to be used for local Community projects.

The '2008 Entrepreneur of the Year' goes to Betty Nelson and Shirley Walters owners of Little Hands Learning Center and Plaza.  Their business was started in 2002 under the management of Willy Lawrence who created a plan to develop the organization as it grew. After only 4 years they had outgrown the rental facility on 1st street and the opportunity to purchase the old KFC shopping plaza became available. With the financial assistance of the Doc Hill Foundation, a County Regions Grant, paint from the Solid Waste Authority, and a lot of hard work and personal investment the dream has finally become reality.

The Little Hands Learning Center and 4 other new startup businesses in the Plaza have created 66 new jobs in Belle Glade Community. The best part is that is has only taken 8 months to make this dream a reality.

The EDGE Center Board is proud to be a partner in the success of these committed organizations and have donated a 12x12 Engraved Marble Brick to be placed on the Wall of Fame in the new EDGE Innovation Center that will be completed by 12/2009.

EDGE Business Innovation Center

The EDGE Board of Directors have entered into a contract with the City of Belle Glade to continue the renovation of the Old Town Center on Avenue A.

After renovation the Center will be used by the EDGE Innovation and Historical Exhibit Center to provide an incubation facility for new cultural and technological startup businesses and as a nature center and museum.

The project will be funded with a State of Florida Cultural Grant, and numerous other Grants as well as local donations.

The project is benchmarked for 1st floor completion by December 2008.

The contractor Benny Richmond, Ins was chosen for this project. Richmond Inc. is a family based contractor who has served the Glades area for more than 50 years and remembers the historical Ave A district when it was all that there was in down town Belle Glade.

We need your help to make this a success so the EDGE Center is selling engraved building bricks that will be used to pave the walkways. Buy a brick and preserve the names of your families and businesses in the Glades . To purchase a brick online click here or call Javier Tejada at (561)993-3343 ext 102. or email

We will be publishing videos and pictures that will be available online as the project progress. Check back with us often or if you would like to be notified of changes click here.

Glades Afro-Arts Festival

Glades Afro Arts Festival

March 14-16, 2008

Belle Glade, Florida
Music on the Avenue, Cultural Food, crafts, arts and music from 15 different countires.

Family fun.

March 14 - Avenue A Merchants will kick off the Glades Afro Arts Festival with a BIG Sidewalk Sale from 10AM-10PM on Avenue A between 1st St and 4th St

March 15 - 11AM-6PMGlades Afro Arts Festival will be held at the Lake Shore Park on SW 12th St. Lots of games and rides for the kids, cultural food and art vendors.

6PM-10PM Music on the Avenue on Avenue A between 1st and 3rd st.

March 16-11AM-4PM Spiritual Music on the Avenue and lots of cultural food and big discounts on fashions.

Purchase any merchandise from Avenue A merchants during the festival and win 2 roundtrip Airline tickets.

Present your receipt at the EDGE Center at 241 W Ave A to pickup your free tickets.

Call 561-993-3343

Vendors welcome

CREDIT REPAIR WORKSHOP

FEB 27th, 2008

10AM-11:30AM

at

THE EDGE CENTER, Inc

241 W Ave A

Belle Glade, FL 33430

561-993-3343

Presentation will be narrated by Jim Gallman from the SBA.

Limited seating please call to reserve a seat.

FREE Travel Voucher for 3 days 2 nite Bahamas Cruise to the first 10 pre-registered.

Lunch will be available.

Vote for your favorite Business Now!

The EDGE Center in Belle Glade Florida needs your help to pick the Business of the Year who will be honored on the Small Business Wall of Fame in the now being renovated Belle Glade Old Town Hall.
A marble brick will be engraved with the Winning company and Owners name and permanently affixed to the Wall in the Innovation Center.
Winners will also receive one years free membership in the EDGE Centers partnership program, along with a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Belle Glade.

The following nominees have been suggested now it's up to you to vote.

Click here to vote for your favorite Business in Belle Glade Florida.

EDGE Online Auction

The EDGE Online Auction Opened on January 1, 2008 with lots of great new items up for grabs.
This auction will end on March 14, 2008 at a live auction event call the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Banquet.

Only 200 tickets will be sold.

The activities for the elegant evening will include an award presentation honoring the Entrepreneur of the Year that will be chosen by the EDGE Board of Directors, The Small Business Hall of Fame Honorees from Pahokee, Belle Glade and South Bay, a fashion show, a live auction that will auction formal dinner settings, and numerous other items.

Dinner Tickets are available online at www.edgeonlineauction.com or by calling 561-993-3343

Dinner Tickets are $25.00 each.

Master card, Visa, Discover, American Express

Funds received from this event and auction will be used to rehabilitate the Old Town Center that will become the new EDGE Business Innovation and Historical Exhibit Center. The Center will be home to 12 new incubation businesses and a display center for historical exhibits from the Glades.