At Space Connect, we have seen a level of collaboration and outreach around small business certification that feels genuinely different. Under the leadership of Director Axel Miranda and County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo, there has been a renewed focus on building the bench of qualified local partners and creating clearer, more accessible pathways for small businesses to participate and compete, keeping local dollars in the local economy.
This shift is being felt on the ground. Local companies are stepping forward to become certified because they are seeing that certification is turning into real opportunity. That progress is the result of a pilot program developed in collaboration between the Palm Beach County Office of Small Business Development and Space Connect, designed to streamline the SBE certification process and provide more hands-on, structured support to small businesses.
We are proud to recognize two Space Connect members, Emanuel Russi, founder of Family Gutters, and Joseph Sarquis, founder of Boulder Construction, who were recently acknowledged by the Office of Small Business Development. Through this pilot effort, both companies achieved SBE certification in just 28 days, the fastest timeline recorded in Palm Beach County’s history.
The impact of this collaboration continues to grow. Since October 2025, almost 100 businesses have entered the county’s SBE pipeline, 40 of them Space Connect members. These numbers reflect not only efficiency, but renewed trust in the process and increased participation from local businesses.
This recognition goes beyond individual accomplishments. It highlights what is possible when public leadership and community partners work together consistently and with shared purpose. We are grateful for the partnership with the Palm Beach County Office of Small Business Development and proud of our members who are helping strengthen the local business community.