(TALLAHASSEE, FL.) – The U.S. Census Bureau unveiled its annual business rankings, and Tallahassee received another top-tier ranking.
According to the annually revealed census, Tallahassee has the ninth-highest concentration of Black business owners nationally.
Tallahassee cracked into the top ten after its #14 national ranking in 2025.
Photo Credit: love_gurlies Instagram
For the purpose of the survey, a business was only counted if a majority of the stock was owned by Black people collectively, not just individually. Additionally, independent contractors and solo entrepreneurship were not included.
7.6% of businesses in the Tallahassee area are Black-owned, meriting a top-of-the-country status. For comparison, the national average(of qualifying Black businesses) is 3.4%, and 32% of Tallahassee’s citizens are Black.
If you are concerned about the national lack of Black business owners, the U.S. Census points to several problems.
According to lendingtree.com, Black businesses are often denied loans.
Where 18% of White-owned businesses were denied loans, 39% of Black owned businesses were denied. It is important to note that the denial rate was 21% in 2024 (the most recent year for which statistics were fully available), half of the Black-owned denial rate.
The large denial rate also leads to an increased use of online lenders, who charge a higher interest rate.
To help minimize the disadvantage, Tallahassee has the SmartSteps Microloan Program, lending minority businesses between $5,000 and $50,000. To qualify, a business must have at least 51% equity or control designated to a woman or minority.
So far, the 2021 program has given out over a million dollars in loans.
Despite a poor national outlook, Tallahassee is making progress in comparison to the rest of the country.
Some of the exciting businesses in the area include Gurlies Lemonade & Sweets, as well as Big Easy Snowballs, going into the summer.
Photo Credit: Big Easy Snowballs Facebook
Tallahassee has been recognized several times nationally for the city’s economic prowess, after being ranked #16 on last year’s Area Development report for economic growth. In Prime Workforce performance, Tallahassee ranked #19 of 411 included cities (ranked for the 2024-2025 year).
In addition to the success the city has reported, Tallahassee is working to make more improvements.
One of the city’s largest investments, Tallahassee will be unveiling a new International Processing Facility (IPF) in the coming months.
Tallahassee’s new international airport is already making out-of-country trips, bringing years' worth of plans to fruition.
The processing facility will pair with Tallahassee’s international airport, allowing the city to receive international deliveries.
In addition to international deliveries, the airport can now receive international flights directly to the city.
Until the IPF is complete, international flights will have to detour to a different city with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) present. Without a facility for U.S. customs, citizens and non-citizens alike are not able to complete international trips in Tallahassee.
The closest cities with full international capabilities are Jacksonville and Atlanta, with Atlanta being the most active. Once the facility is complete, it is expected to bring hundreds of millions in extra revenue each year.
If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to comment and reach out to me at jason.f@lead4earth.org.
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