Miami-Dade opens applications for forgivable business expansion loans

Miami-Dade County is accepting applications from established, expanding businesses for forgivable loans of $70,000 or $100,000 tied to the creation of permanent jobs.

The county's Housing and Community Development Department opened the fiscal 2026 Special Economic Development application on Oct. 28. Its notice says the rolling process will remain open until the department determines that all available funding has been fully encumbered.

The program uses Community Development Block Grant funding to support job creation for county residents. The amount a business seeks determines how many jobs it must create and how many must go to people with low or moderate incomes.

Job requirements and loan forgiveness

Under the county's program booklet, a $70,000 award requires two full-time equivalent jobs, both filled by low- or moderate-income people. A $100,000 award requires three such jobs in total, including two for low- or moderate-income people.

The county says the awards take the form of forgivable loans. Forgiveness follows verification that the required number of full-time equivalent jobs has been created. The county's notice describes the jobs as full-time and permanent and says they must benefit Miami-Dade residents.

Businesses must demonstrate confirmed financing from other sources of at least 15% of the total project budget. That amount can include the owner's equity. The county also requires financial statements showing capacity to create the proposed jobs.

Payments are made as reimbursements for acceptable documented costs, such as invoices, receipts and proof of payment. The booklet says the county will not advance program funds to the applicant or a subcontractor. Applicants therefore need to plan for the timing of their expenses, not just the potential award.

Who can apply

The program is aimed at established, expanding for-profit businesses in Miami-Dade County. The county says it is not appropriate for new businesses or those seeking funding to prevent or delay a closure.

Minimum requirements include three years of business tax returns, three years of CPA-prepared financial statements, control of the project site, sufficient funds to cover project costs and a due diligence review. Owners must also provide three years of personal tax returns under the booklet's threshold requirements.

Eligible activities include qualifying business development projects that create jobs and certain commercial or industrial real estate work that results in job creation. The booklet lists home-based businesses and purchases of personal property, including equipment and vehicles, among ineligible activities.

An environmental review is required before funds are committed. The booklet says the county will not allocate funds to a project already under construction. Selected applicants must also receive a satisfactory credit underwriting recommendation before entering into funding agreements and loan documents.

How to apply

Applicants must submit an online pre-application through the county's Neighborly system, with supporting documents for an initial eligibility review. Those who pass that review are invited to complete the full application. The county's application notice links to both the portal and the detailed booklet.

The county says applicants who do not pass the preliminary review receive a deficiency letter and may reapply 12 months after its date. Applicants and their subsidiaries may receive no more than one award every three years.

Because the application closes when the county determines available funds are fully encumbered, interested businesses should check the current notice and program booklet before applying. The notice does not state a fixed closing date.