Blog

National Weather Service is warning much of the country about the polar vortex, an arctic air mass that is pushing much of the eastern and central U.S. down to record cold temperatures.

During this wave, workers are at increased risk of cold stress. Increased wind speeds can cause the air temperature to feel even colder, further increasing the risk of cold stress of those working outdoors, such as:

• Snow cleanup crews
• Construction
...

Join SelectUSA in Hong Kong at the Asian Financial Forum on January 19-20, 2015.

The U.S. Commercial Service team in Hong Kong has confirmed a booth at the 8th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) on January 19-20, 2015.

AFF brings together members of the global financial and business community to discuss developments and trends across markets...

The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched its 2015 Emerging Leaders executive-level training series in 48 cities and communities across the country. 

The initiative has trained more than 2,400 promising small business owners in underserved communities, and its impact continues to expand in helping small businesses to grow and create jobs throughout the country.  There are 22 new cities joining the...

Helping small businesses and independent inventors with limited resources is an important goal of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and supports the Administration’s commitment to balance the playing field for all entrepreneurs looking to innovate. It also supports the...

By Marie R. Gill, Operator and Executive Director of the MBDA Business Center in Miami and Josh Dickson, Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the US Department of Commerce

Earlier this month, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center in Miami hosted its first Business Sunday at Samaritan...

Building business credit is just as important as building and taking good care of one’s personal credit. In the business world, a company does not have a consumer FICO® Score. Instead, it has business credit scores, ratings maintained and calculated by business credit reporting agencies.

“Just as your personal credit has a big impact on your financial health, your business credit can help you get competitive business loan rates and terms from potential suppliers,” says Marc Kirshbaum, president of Experian's Business Information Solutions group.

Unfortunately, many small...

In the short amount of time that I’ve had the privilege of working with MBDA, I’ve been thoroughly impressed with all of your hard work and dedication. I’m inspired by all the great achievements that we’ve accomplished this year and the continued diligence and commitment I see on future endeavors.

This year was a very successful year for job creation, economic growth and entrepreneurship within the minority communities, and I’m proud to say that all of you played a vital role in this upward trend. Despite facing many challenges, you continue to step up to the plate and face...

Too many people try to start a business without first developing a clear roadmap for the journey ahead, making success that much harder. Don’t be one of them! This month is National Write a Business Plan Month and we’re here to help you get started with six steps to writing a solid business plan.

Looking for more help? Check out this step-by-step tool for writing a business plan.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) contains several tax provisions that affect employers. Under the ACA, an employer’s workforce size is significant because this information determines which provisions apply. 

The IRS is conducting an information campaign to educate taxpayers about some of the basics of the ACA. This campaign will include health care tax tips, YouTube videos and expanded ACA web pages on IRS.gov...

For Employers

Getting health coverage for your small business for 2015 is easier than ever before. For the first time, you can use the SHOP Marketplace to enroll online for coverage that starts as early as January 2015. Learn more about how to enroll with this step-by-step guide.

Here are just a few benefits of buying coverage through the SHOP Marketplace.

...

For 45 years, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) programs have focused on providing greater access to business opportunities that better equip minority business owners to create jobs, build scale and capacity, and contribute to the U.S. economy.  

In response to the President’s call to make 2014 “a year of action,” MBDA ensured that we reached many more minority-owned firms throughout the nation. In addition to reaching new heights, MBDA was active in expanding its reach and services for the rapidly growing segment of the economy we serve. We opened seven new MBDA...

Locally-owned small retailers can earn 50 percent or more of total annual sales during the critical holiday shopping period between Black Friday and New Year’s Day. The business choices made during this important period can have direct effects on a small firm’s cash flow for the entire year. The SBA surveyed several business counselors from the Colorado Small Business Development Centers and SCORE to compile this...

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is sponsoring an India Smart Grid Workshop Series to bring together U.S. and Indian power sector stakeholders for future project implementation. The workshops and site visits will assist Indian utilities to address their growing power needs through a better understanding of U.S. grid modernization, demand side management, and renewable energy integration technologies, as...

Intellectual Property Webinar Series

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will co-host a free webinar series to help business owners understand the intellectual property process, starting on Tuesday, December 9.

To join the event:

• To participate 

...

The Southern University Law Center and Kean Miller, LLP, hosted the Louisiana Diversity Forum on Oct. 30 in Baton Rouge, La. The forum included several panel discussions and speaker presentations focused on diversity and inclusion with respect to commerce, business, workplaces, and legal education.

Candace Shiver, Special Advisor to the National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)...

The Minority Business Development Agency is the only federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority-owned businesses; and most of our work is accomplished through our nationwide network of MBDA Business Centers and their work directly with the nation’s MBEs. While, we often report their successes in terms of contracts and capital obtained for MBEs, we rarely talk about how...

Trying to find health insurance for your employees?

Check out the Small Business Health Options Program—SHOP—part of the new Health Insurance Marketplace. The SHOP Marketplace gives you a choice of quality, private health insurance plans, information, and tools to make comparisons and choose the one that works best for your company and employees.

In many states, you can enroll in SHOP coverage...

According to a recent U.S. Census Bureau report, the United States will not have a clear racial or ethnic majority by 2043. America's deepening diversity has huge implications for the country's economy, and is creating challenges and opportunities for the nation's financial system as it works to increase minority access to the financial mainstream.

San Francisco, California—a hub of technological innovation...

Earlier this month, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) hosted a special event for minority serving institutions to foster collaborations that could increase minority participation in scientific research and entrepreneurship. Representatives from large and small colleges and universities across the country gathered to learn about NIST’s...

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is committed in supporting U.S. veterans. It is an honor to celebrate the many contributions of our service members as they continue helping our country thrive. Our veterans are the bedrocks of our Nation and have served or continue serving, as the guardians of our society.

At MBDA we thank all veterans for their service and are fortunate to have a number of them working with us day-to-day supporting minority-owned businesses and helping grow the U.S. economy. Each one brings a unique contribution to our agency, here are a few examples...

Nominations are now being  accepted for Ex-Im Bank’s 2015 Advisory Committee. The  Congressionally-established Advisory Committee holds quarterly meetings in  which its primary task is to advise the Bank concerning its policy and  programs, in particular on the extent to which the Bank is meeting its mandate  to provide competitive financing to expand United States exports, and any  suggestions for improvement in...

A new online marketplace will go live on November 15, making it easier for businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees to offer health insurance. That same day, open enrollment will begin again for individuals seeking coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Join us for a conversation about the federal Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) online marketplace and the second...

The Facts About Exporting addresses some of the misconceptions that exist and paves the way for exporting more American-made products around the world. What percentage of the world’s customers do you think live outside of the U.S.? Who exports more: small or large companies? Take a look at the infographic and learn these facts and more!

The Facts About Exporting [Infographic] by...

A Strong Commitment to Investors

Please join us for the SelectUSA 2015 Investment Summit from March 23-24 in Washington, D.C.

President Barack Obama and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker have made it clear that the United States is “open for business” and warmly welcomes foreign investors to operate in our transparent, stable and open market.

SelectUSA provides world-class services...