How Greater Fort Lauderdale is investing in technology and innovation
Writer: Mirella Franzese
April 2025 — To stay competitive in an increasingly tech-driven ecosystem, Greater Fort Lauderdale leaders are embracing modernization to streamline operations, upskill talent, and scale to size. And with organizations like the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) pursuing strategic partnerships with ports, business development organizations, transit authorities, and tourism entities to capitalize on the growth, the area is primed for exciting, forward-looking opportunities.
Here are how the region’s top leaders are staying ahead of the curve:
Sandy-Michael McDonald, Director, Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD)
There has been a lot of excitement on our side around the number of startup businesses and supporting organizations. The Alliance of Entrepreneurial Resource Organizations (AERO) includes 18 organizations, such as Hollywood, JM Family, Urban League, the Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation, and others, that support entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. We have a variety of entrepreneur and startup programs and activities. Our top priority is to ensure a continuation of programming that supports small businesses and growth in the 31 municipalities of Broward. We also need to ensure that we are advancing opportunities and that there is a structured process or plan for continued growth. For instance, our transit department is one year into its 15-year project to spend $4.3 billion, which entails expanding 200 miles of road, rapid transit, and rail. That entails multiple opportunities for everyone.
Joseph Morris, CEO and Port Director, Port Everglades
We see innovation as a mindset and are always looking for ways that technology can be used to aid our decision-making. In the cruise sector, for instance, facial biometrics is being used for security and that has been great for efficiency and allows ships to board much faster. Some of the technology in recently added container cranes as well is beneficial for our port users. It is critical to our growth plans so that will remain a focus for us as well as our relationships and partnerships with the community. We are working with experts to replace our bulkhead infrastructure by investing $269 million to replace all the bulkheads in the port. Some of these date back to the 1950s so we’ve gotten our money’s worth, but it’s time to bring them to a modern state to prepare for the future.
Michael Platner, Managing Director, Lewis Brisbois
As you drive through this market, you will see businesses that are doing anywhere between $100 million and $400 million in revenue. South Florida has long been a magnet for migration, but what was once a destination primarily for retirees has evolved into a thriving hub for businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking growth. The accessibility of capital, banking, and comparable resources has given rise to the people, entrepreneurs, and private equity firms that are settling in the region. For law firms with a growth mindset, there seems to be an endless supply of important and grateful clients who are thrilled to have the resources available to them thanks to the legal community in South Florida. This has been a huge advantage for our firm in particular. We have always had very strong growth in the technology arena with companies that provide technology solutions as a service. Consistently, we have had a special relationship with those types of companies and the ability to serve them well. There are so many private businesses that form and scale up in South Florida that positioning those companies for wealth creation and liquidity events has been a big growth engine for the firm, namely in the corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions practice areas.
These leaders will be speaking at the upcoming Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale 7th Edition Leadership Summit on Thursday, June 5 at the Riverside Hotel. Morris, Platner, and McDonald will join panel discussions addressing the role of strategic alliances in shaping South Florida’s future, and how they are embracing digital tools to stay competitive in an increasingly tech-based economy. Click here to learn more.
Top image via Port Everglades
For more information, please visit:
https://www.porteverglades.net/
https://www.broward.org/EconDev/
