Expanded Minority Small Business Enterprise Gets New Leader

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County has named veteran economic development executive Ken Jones as the director of the county’s expanded Minority/Small Business Enterprise Division.

He will be responsible for managing the division’s efforts to increase participation of minority-owned, women-owned and small firms doing business with Hillsborough County.

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners recently expanded the Minority Business Enterprise and Small Business Enterprise programs to make sure more minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses have opportunities for doing business with Hillsborough County.

Over the last four fiscal years, Hillsborough County has entered into contracts worth more than $220 million with minority- and women-owned and small businesses.

Jones will lead the new division in line with the Hillsborough County Commission's objective to connect minority and small businesses with opportunities for greater economic equity.

Jones brings with him more than 25 years of experience in economic development, small business assistance, business recruitment and retention, business ownership and business development. In

his previous role as manager of Workforce Development & Community Stabilization, he led the county’s efforts to increase opportunities for unemployed and under-employed residents to obtain industry recognized certifications and paid work experiences for high-demand occupations with career pathways.

His passion to help businesses succeed and extensive experience in economic development will guide the MBE/SBE Division’s ability to create greater opportunities for minority-owned and small businesses.

Jones holds an master's of business administration degree from the University of Florida, a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Redlands, and a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida.

The MBE program, which is open to businesses throughout Florida, increased the maximum net worth for qualifying businesses to $5 million for firms in the construction industry and $4 million for other industries.

The SBE program, already open to businesses in Hillsborough County, was expanded to now include eligible businesses located in Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties with no more than 50 permanent, full-time employees. It also increased the maximum gross annual sales to $8 million for construction industry firms and $5 million for other industries.

Contact the Hillsborough County MBE/SBE Program to register a minority-owned, women-owned or small business with the office.