The Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation has been officially renamed the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new office on Church Street this morning.The new name reflects the organisation’s expanded service offerings, including the support and management of Bermuda’s three Economic Empowerment Zones (EEZ), to assist small and medium-sized businesses and to provide oversight of outside vendor markets within the EEZ.Patrice Minors, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister, who was on hand to announce the news said: “Without question, Government is serious about encouraging a viable and successful business environment in Bermuda and as the Minister responsible for the economy, trade and industry, I will continue to ensure that entrepreneurial economic empowerment is made an imperative, by continuing to put the people first and continuing to create sound, progressive police and support for their success and prosperity.”According to Minister Minors, through its Hands Up Empowerment Programme, the BEDC partnered with the Ministry of Public Works to develop the Job Works Programme that ran from September to December of 2011 culminating in the hiring of 20 people from the unemployed register to complete a number of small jobs on Government properties on time and on budget.According to Erica Smith, Director of the Economic Empowerment Zones Agency, the organisation has been working with the Corporation of Hamilton to assist areas of the City that may need help.“We are currently undergoing a research survey of northeast Hamilton that will incorporate some areas within the City of Hamilton but mostly focusing on the greater Pembroke area surrounding northeast Hamilton,” she said. “A recent programme that we just had was late-night shopping and I sit on a number of their (City of Hamilton’s) committees, so we are in constant contact with them.”Ms Minors also said that the group plans on hiring a director to manage their medium-sized business unit and increased its staff numbers in both the Somerset and St. George’s EEZs.The BEDC will continue to operate in its current structure under its board, led by Anthony Foster and managed by general manager Michelle Khaldun.