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The 238 communities vying to be home to Amazon’s second headquarters are seeking a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Creating up to 50,000 new jobs, paying $100,000 average salaries, Amazon’s HQ2, as it’s called, promises an economic burst that could fundamentally change the region’s business landscape.

Miami was always seen as an underdog for Amazon’s headquarters, given its thin roster of heavy corporate hitters, lack of a tech-savvy workforce and low marks on certain urban perks, like a vibrant transit system.

Amazon has made clear what it wants for HQ2: a business-friendly environment, a highly trained technical workforce, financial incentives and transportation infrastructure. How do we stack up?

This year, as in years past, the list of South Florida Power Leaders reflects a dynamic regional marketplace. Of the 153 executives on our list, 57 were not on last year’s list. Newcomers represent such sectors as construction, travel and tourism, regional business development and even pet supplies, which saw home-grown Chewy.com acquired for a rumored $3.35 billion last year.

Bob Swindell learned that South Florida made Amazon’s shortlist for its second corporate headquarters like a lot of people – – from a news alert on his phone.

A new year gives Black small businesses the opportunity for growth and new connections. With new programs in Miami launching and existing programs amping up their engagement, Black small businesses can use these resources to make this year better than the last.