Ocoee, Florida Local Business Exchange

Florida State University is supporting another group of aspiring and early-stage business owners through its Leon Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program.

The university announced October 26, 2026, that 35 local entrepreneurs joined the program’s third Tallahassee cohort.

The initiative provides business education, mentorship, and other resources intended to help entrepreneurs develop sustainable businesses.

Three graduates of the program’s 2025 cohort also received microgrants to support their existing businesses.

Program Serves Three North Florida Counties

The Leon Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program, known as LEAP, serves entrepreneurs in Leon, Gadsden, and Wakulla counties.

The initiative was launched in 2024 by Florida State University’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship and Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.

It operates as part of the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative, an international entrepreneurship development network associated with the University of Notre Dame.

LEAP focuses on individuals developing businesses while navigating financial and other challenges.

Participants receive access to educational resources and guidance intended to help them establish and strengthen commercial operations.

35 Entrepreneurs Join Latest Cohort

The third Tallahassee cohort began September 26.

The program includes a six-week community bootcamp running through October 31.

Participants receive instruction from local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and other invited speakers.

The bootcamp features 12 guest speakers addressing topics relevant to business development.

The broader LEAP program extends over approximately ten months.

During that period, participants can receive mentorship from business owners and assistance from Florida State University students.

The university’s objective is to help entrepreneurs develop practical skills and establish more sustainable businesses.

Three Local Businesses Receive Microgrants

Florida State University also recognized three graduates of the 2025 LEAP cohort with microgrants.

The recipients are Shishandra Devlin of Bougie With A Board, Sarah Babchuck of Love Story Book Co., and Latasha Davis of Wisdom Adult Day Care Services.

The businesses represent different industries and customer needs.

According to the university, the awards recognize progress made by participants as they worked through the program’s business development requirements.

Two microgrants were supported by the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative network, while another received support from Bank of America.

The university did not disclose individual award amounts in its October 26 announcement.

Funding Will Support Business Improvements

The three recipients identified different plans for using their awards.

Devlin intends to invest in tools and resources supporting the continued development of Bougie With A Board.

Babchuck plans to use the funding toward new signage for Love Story Book Co.

Davis intends to purchase activity supplies and equipment for Wisdom Adult Day Care Services.

The planned purchases illustrate how relatively small investments can address specific operational needs.

However, the university did not announce a separate public application process for these microgrants.

The awards were presented to previous LEAP participants based on their progress through the program.

University Continues Entrepreneurship Support

Florida State University has expanded its entrepreneurship assistance beyond Tallahassee.

In August 2026, the Jim Moran Institute launched a related program in West Palm Beach.

That initiative welcomed 53 participants who completed its first community bootcamp.

The programs are intended to connect entrepreneurs with educational resources, experienced business professionals, and opportunities to develop their commercial ideas.

For Leon, Gadsden, and Wakulla counties, the latest LEAP cohort represents another group of local entrepreneurs receiving structured assistance as they work toward establishing or expanding their businesses.

A coalition of Florida organizations is preparing to expand biotechnology manufacturing, startup support, and workforce training following a proposed $47.3 million federal investment.

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced October 29, 2026, that its Economic Development Administration intends to award the funding to the Florida Oncology and Radiopharmaceutical Growth Engine coalition.

Known as FORGE, the initiative focuses on developing manufacturing and research capabilities involving radiopharmaceutical medicines.

The proposed investment will support activities in the Tampa Bay region.

The announcement also identifies approximately $200 million in private-sector commitments associated with the broader initiative.

Manufacturing Facilities Planned

The proposed federal funding will help develop manufacturing facilities capable of producing specialized medicines used in cancer treatment.

Radiopharmaceuticals contain radioactive materials used in medical applications.

Certain products are designed to deliver radiation to targeted areas of the body.

Manufacturing these medicines requires specialized facilities, equipment, and technical expertise.

The proposed development will include infrastructure supporting radiopharmaceutical production and related research activities.

According to the Department of Commerce, the project is intended to establish an integrated regional center for radiopharmaceutical development.

The announcement does not provide a complete construction schedule or specify when individual manufacturing facilities will begin operating.

Business Incubator Will Support Startups

The initiative also includes plans for a biotechnology business incubator.

Business incubators provide resources intended to help early-stage companies develop products, establish operations, and pursue commercial opportunities.

The planned facility will focus on businesses involved in biotechnology and related medical technologies.

The federal announcement identifies startup support as a component of the proposed investment.

However, it does not establish an open application period for entrepreneurs seeking incubator space or financial assistance.

Interested businesses should monitor future announcements from the participating organizations.

Workforce Training Is Another Priority

The proposed investment will also support workforce training facilities.

Radiopharmaceutical manufacturing requires employees with specialized technical knowledge.

Potential workforce development activities may involve laboratory operations, manufacturing processes, and other technical functions associated with the industry.

The Department of Commerce identifies workforce development as a central purpose of the proposed award.

However, the announcement does not provide a verified number of new jobs directly associated with the federal funding.

It also does not identify specific training enrollment dates.

Employment and education opportunities will depend on future project implementation.

Funding Connected to Hurricane Recovery

The proposed award is part of the Economic Development Administration’s fiscal year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program.

The federal initiative provides funding for economic recovery activities in communities affected by qualifying disasters during 2023 and 2024.

The Florida project is associated with recovery from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The program’s Industry Transformation Pathway supports projects intended to develop or expand regional industries.

The federal government has made approximately $1.45 billion available through the broader disaster recovery program.

The proposed Florida award represents one project within that national funding initiative.

Federal Award Is Not Yet Final

The October 29 announcement states that the Economic Development Administration intends to provide $47.3 million.

That wording is important.

The announcement identifies a proposed federal investment rather than confirming that the full amount has already been disbursed.

Similarly, the $200 million in private-sector commitments should not be interpreted as completed construction spending.

The next developments to monitor include final award decisions, project agreements, facility planning, and implementation milestones.

For the Tampa Bay business community, the proposal represents a substantial potential investment in biotechnology manufacturing, startup development, and specialized workforce training.

Businesses and individuals affected by Hurricane Isaias in Florida have received additional time to meet certain federal tax obligations following an announcement from the Internal Revenue Service.

The IRS announced October 14, 2026, that qualifying taxpayers in designated Florida counties will have until February 8, 2027, to file various federal tax returns and make certain tax payments.

The relief applies to eligible deadlines originally falling between October 9, 2026, and February 8, 2027.

For small-business owners managing hurricane-related disruptions, the extension provides additional time to address qualifying tax obligations.

Which Florida Counties Qualify?

The IRS identified 27 counties eligible for the disaster-related tax relief.

These include Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.

The relief generally applies to individuals who live in the designated disaster area and businesses whose principal place of business is located there.

Certain taxpayers outside the designated area may also qualify if records necessary to meet a filing deadline are located within the affected region.

The IRS provides procedures for requesting relief in these circumstances.

Business Tax Deadlines Extended

The postponement covers several types of federal tax filings and payments.

Eligible businesses may receive additional time for certain corporate, partnership, S corporation, employment, and excise tax returns.

The February 8 deadline also applies to qualifying quarterly payroll and certain excise tax returns ordinarily due November 2, 2026, and February 1, 2027.

Certain estimated income tax payments originally due during the postponement period are also covered.

However, the extension does not apply to every tax obligation.

For example, federal tax payments originally due before October 9 are not automatically postponed simply because a related return received an extension.

Business owners should review the IRS announcement carefully to determine which obligations qualify.

Special Payroll Tax Deposit Relief

The IRS also announced limited penalty relief for certain payroll and excise tax deposits.

Penalties on qualifying deposits due on or after October 9 and before October 26, 2026, will be waived if the deposits are made by October 26.

This provision is separate from the broader February filing deadline.

Employers should pay particular attention to the distinction because employment tax deposit requirements do not necessarily follow the same postponement rules as tax return filing deadlines.

Relief Generally Applies Automatically

The IRS states that it automatically identifies taxpayers located in designated disaster areas and applies the applicable filing and payment relief.

Eligible taxpayers generally do not need to contact the agency simply to receive the postponement.

However, taxpayers outside the designated counties whose necessary records are located within the disaster area may need to request assistance.

The IRS Special Services telephone number for disaster-related relief requests is 866-562-5227.

Businesses receiving an unexpected late-filing or late-payment penalty notice should follow the instructions in the IRS announcement.

What Business Owners Should Do Next

Business owners should review their upcoming federal tax obligations and determine whether the disaster postponement applies.

Maintaining accurate payroll records, financial statements, and documentation of hurricane-related losses remains important.

The IRS also provides guidance concerning casualty losses and other potential disaster-related tax provisions.

Taxpayers should distinguish between postponed deadlines, possible deductions, and other forms of disaster assistance because each has separate eligibility requirements.

For qualifying Florida businesses, the February 8, 2027, deadline provides additional time to manage certain federal tax responsibilities while recovering from Hurricane Isaias.