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Created on July 14, 2014 |
Small businesses that use sustainable business practices as part of their operating and marketing strategy often realize significant economic gains. However, creating market messaging for greening a business operations can be intimidating, or worse, lead a small business owner to think moving to a sustainable business model will require large capital outlays. That is a flawed perception. The challenge for many...
With the 2014 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference fast approaching, we wanted to take the time and spotlight a past conference honoree to give an insight into the current state and outlook of a two-time MED Week award winning firm.
Metcon, Inc. is a general contracting and construction management firm headquartered in Pembroke, NC with offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Columbia, SC. Metcon is certified by the North Carolina Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses as an American Indian-owned general construction business. Founded in 1999, Metcon...
Originally posted at SBA.gov Community
“Government contracting.” “Small business certification.” You’ve heard the phrases before, but what do they really mean? And does it really matter for your small business? Maybe – and maybe not. Let’s cut through all the noise and define these phrases in a meaningful way for your entrepreneurial endeavors.
What is government contracting?
Government contracting is the process that lets you sell your goods or services to the government and its various agencies. The government has a contract, or...
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Created on June 30, 2014 |
Candace Shiver, Special Advisor to the National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency
I recently participated in the 2014 Agribusiness and Food World Forum in Cape Town, South Africa from June 17-19. The forum, hosted by the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association and the Corporate Council on Africa, brought together more than 500 business leaders, government...
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Created on April 2, 2014 |
This article was originally posted on the PNC Business Insights e-news section. Guest blog post by John Lloyd, MANTEC
Every company, large or small, is dependent upon the companies that make up its supply chain. The...
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Created on June 26, 2014 |
On June 24, Alejandra Y. Castillo, National Director for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), gave a keynote address at “The Next America: Making America Work,” an event hosted by the National Journal in Washington DC. The event was designed to discuss how the public and private sectors can promote minority financial empowerment, workforce development and entrepreneurship....
This post originally appeared on the SBA.
Dale Van Eckhout, Senior Area Manager, Bismarck Area Office - North Dakota District Office
Many people associate fast food businesses with franchising. In fact, there are over 120 different types of franchise businesses and hundreds of thousands of franchises available in the United States, including automotive, cleaning & maintenance, health & fitness, and pet-related franchises - just to name a few.
Franchising is the practice of selling the right to use a firm's successful business...
This post originally appeared on the Tradeology, the ITA Blog
Kenneth R. Mouradian is the Director of the International Trade Administration’s Orlando U.S. Export Assistance Center.
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Created on June 18, 2014 |
This post is part of the global blog series the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) started during World Trade Month.
George Mui is the Access to Markets team lead in MBDA’s Office of Business Development.
The U.S. Department of Commerce, through its Look South campaign, helps U.S. exporters to...
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Created on June 16, 2014 |
The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico, along with the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, hosted the 8th Annual New Mexico Native American Economic Summit, May 20-22 in Albuquerque, N.M.
The intent of the summit was to promote the development of a healthy, self-sufficient American Indian Economy, both on and off the reservation. The mission was both simple and powerful: “To help...
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Created on June 17, 2014 |
The country's shifting demographics have huge implications for U.S. industry and the economy. By 2030 minorities are projected to provide all of the net growth of workers in the labor force. Experts say that increased public investment, skills training, and workforce development are crucial to improving the economy, expanding the middle class, and empowering the country's minority populations.
In an era of slow...
Disaster can strike at any time, and even the most prepared businesses and business owners can be adversely impacted. Scenes of disaster replay on televisions across the country with numbing regularity: A hurricane blasts through Florida... fire sweeps through a small-town manufacturing plant...floods destroy a local business district... a winter storm causes widespread power failure in the Northeast.
Every year emergencies take their toll on business and industry in terms of lives and dollars. But something can be done. Businesses of all sizes can limit injury and damage and return...
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Created on June 6, 2014 |
This post originally appeared on the White House AAPI Blog.
Bill Imada is a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
More than 1.5 million businesses in the United States are owned by Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. These firms account for $508.6 billion in spending power nationwide and have resulted in the...
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Created on May 20, 2014 |
Maryland’s Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs hosted their 5th Annual MBE University Conference and Expo at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore on May 20.
The event was a unique forum, combining educational workshops with business development and networking opportunities that meet the unique needs of small, minority and women-owned businesses.
“The workshops, exhibitors and...
This post originally appeared on the Commerce.gov Blog
At the Department of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency we are dedicated to helping more minority-owned business leverage their competitive advantage and expand their business through exports. The most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals how minority-owned firms employ nearly six million American workers and contribute one trillion dollars in annual economic output to the U.S. economy. This economic output includes significant exporting contributions. In fact, minority-owned firms are...
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Created on May 20, 2014 |
The U.S. Small Business Administration has proposed increasing small business size standards affecting businesses in 46 industries in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Sector 42, Wholesale Trade, and in one industry in Sector 44-45, Retail Trade. If they are adopted, nearly 4,000 more firms will become eligible for SBA’s loan programs. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register today...
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Created on May 16, 2014 |
This post originally appeared on the Tradeology, the ITA Blog
Jonathan Rees is the Managing Director of Western Union Business Solutions in North America. Western Union Business Solutions is an International Trade Administration Strategic Partner.
A healthy U.S. economy includes strong exports. In an...
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Created on May 14, 2014 |
In March, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) celebrated its 45th anniversary. And as the Agency begins planning for the next 45 years, it will do so missing a key team player.
Venice Pamela Harris was 17-years old when she started working with the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1972. She was still in high school when she applied and was accepted...
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Created on April 2, 2014 |
Since 1977, the month of May recognizes the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians to the American story. The legislation honoring the significance of our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage was introduced by some of the finest Asian Americans in U.S. history: Congressman Norman Mineta, Senator Spark Matsunaga, and Senator Daniel Inouye.
On May...
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Created on May 14, 2014 |
This post originally appeared on the Tradeology, the ITA Blog
Secretary Penny Pritzker announced NEI/NEXT – a data-based, customer service-driven initiative to ensure that more American businesses can fully capitalize on markets that are opening up...
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Created on May 12, 2014 |
During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we celebrate the accomplishments of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, and we reflect on the many ways they have enriched our Nation. Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs and businesses play a vital role in economic growth, job creation, and community revitalization.
This May, the theme for Asian Pacific...
As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and co-sponsors will be hosting numerous training webinars and online events from May 12-15.
When: 9 a.m. (EDT), Wednesday, May 14
Online: View live online at www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek
Join us as Conduit Mobile and the SBA bring together an array of experts from major technology companies, the public sector, and the small business community...
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Created on May 5, 2014 |
Ed. Note: This post is part of the Commerce in the Community series highlighting the work of community leaders and organizations that are strengthening the middle class and providing ladders of opportunity for all Americans.
Below is an interview with Mark Edwards...
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Created on May 5, 2014 |
This post originally appeared on International Trade Administration Tradeology blog.
Happy World Trade Month!
For years, May has been the time to not only recognize the benefits of international trade, but also for organizations around the country to support more American companies competing overseas.
For the United States, the benefits of trade have been great, as have...
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Created on April 28, 2014 |
The Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC), in coordination with the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council), the Chief Information Officers Council (CIOC), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), is conducting an open dialogue to discuss improvements to the federal...
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Created on April 25, 2014 |
This post originally appeared on International Trade Administration Tradeology blog.
Diana Alvarez recently completed an internship in the International Trade Administration’s Office of South America.
The Look South campaign is encouraging companies to seek export opportunities in Latin America.
...
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Created on April 25, 2014 |
This post originally appeared on HealthCare.gov.
When you buy health coverage for your employees through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace, you may qualify for a tax credit worth up to 50% of your premium contributions.
Our new SHOP Tax Credit Estimator can tell you...
This post originally appeared on International Trade Administration Tradeology blog.
Ken Mouradian is the Director of the International Trade Administration’s Orlando Export Assistance Center.
You spent the time and money to build your business, including the development of products and services (patents, trade secrets and copyrights), business methods (trade secrets), brands (trademarks and service marks), and your presence on the Internet (trademarks and associated domain names, copyrights). Why wouldn’t you protect these Intellectual Property (IP) assets...
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Created on April 22, 2014 |
With its fast-growing middle class and tremendous human, agricultural, and mineral resources, the continent of Africa is attracting investors and businesses from all around the world. Home to seven of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies, Sub-Saharan Africa outpaces global average growth. That is why, in 2012, President Obama launched the Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) on Sub-Saharan Africa, now known as the...
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Created on April 17, 2014 |
U.S. small businesses will gain improved access to two major government-guaranteed loan programs once a final rule to that effect issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration becomes effective April 21, 2014.
The SBA recently published a Final Rule on the Federal Register that eliminates or revises several requirements for its two main loan programs, 7(a) and 504. The rule expands eligibility, makes it...
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Created on April 17, 2014 |
During the month of April, MBDA will collaborate with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to conduct a three part webinar series on the intellectual property process.
The webinar series will focus on the three types of intellectual property protection: copyrights, patents, and trademarks. The complimentary webinars will provide a wealth of information, resources, and tools to protect and promote your...
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Created on April 17, 2014 |
Minority-owned businesses seeking to grow their firms and branch out into new markets have new resources to find help. The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) proudly welcomed two new MBDA Business Centers into their family of network centers that operate across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
On March 17, while most of the Eastern region of the country braced for a snow storm, the Bronx MBDA Business Center...
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Created on April 17, 2014 |
In 2013, MBDA and the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED) within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) established a partnership aimed at increasing the participation of minority business enterprises (MBEs) in energy – one of the largest industries in the United States. In addition to enhancing access to procurement and contracting opportunities available through the DOE for minority firms, MBDA and ED are also...
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Created on April 10, 2014 |
This month, SelectUSA is really upping our game when it comes to online engagement around investment. We hope you’ll join the conversation on Twitter at #SelectUSA!
Our colleagues across the Commerce Department will be sharing their thoughts on how innovation, data...
Women leaders from the African American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American business communities showcased their expertise and entrepreneurial achievements during the “Power and Promise of the Minority Women in Business” roundtable discussion in Washington, DC, hosted by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) on March 31.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the event attracted a diverse group of more than 25 women business leaders that included federal officials, researchers, entrepreneurs and high-level executives, who represented organizations on the forefront of...
Ken Mouradian is the Director of the International Trade Administration’s Export Assistance Center in Orlando.
Our team can help you maximize export opportunities at trade shows.
You’re walking the floor at a major trade show and, glancing to your right, you see two people seated deep in their booth checking e-mails on their phones. This closed off demeanor wastes two precious resources their company invested in this show, time and money. To get the best possible return on investment from your next trade show, here are six simple suggestions that don’t cost much...
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Created on April 2, 2014 |
This weekend, the Commerce Department’s Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships joined forces with the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), BusinessUSA, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and 19th Street Baptist Church to host the first Business Sunday in Washington, DC. Business Sunday is a program focused on promoting local economic growth and job creation by connecting congregations and...
Reverse Trade Missions bring foreign buyers to the United States, pending an upcoming procurement, in order to observe the design, manufacture, demonstration and operation of U.S. products and services that can help them achieve their development goals. These strategically planned missions also present excellent opportunities for U.S. businesses to establish or enhance relationships with prospective overseas customers.
In 2013 USTDA funded 24 reverse trade missions that introduced U.S. company representatives to key foreign decision-makers, including senior governmental and private...
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Created on March 17, 2014 |
On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, MBDA celebrated its 45th anniversary and 45 years of nation building through the minority business community. Since its creation by Executive Order in 1969, MBDA has worked tirelessly and diligently to promote the growth and global competitiveness of a critical segment of the U.S. economy.
MBDA was honored to see that the efforts and accomplishments of the Agency over...
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Created on March 17, 2014 |
The Houston MBDA Business Center held their grand opening ceremony March 5.
The kick-off event started with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the center, followed by a roundtable discussion with local business leaders. Candace C. Shiver, Esq., MBDA’s Special Advisor to the Office of the National Director and Roger Harris, Houston MBDA's Program Director, spoke with participants about local challenges minority...
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Created on March 17, 2014 |
The following is an excerpt from Frequently Asked Questions about Small Business Finance
What is the lending picture for ventures owned by women, veteran, minorities, and immigrants?
Women-owned businesses (just like their male counterparts) largely depend on personal finances; but women-and minority-owned firms are more likely to use credit cards for...
Thanks to the U.S. civil rights movement and the push for women’s equality, African-American women now have opportunities that an earlier generation could only dream about. Today African-American women crew NASA space missions, run Fortune 500 companies and win Pulitzer Prizes for successful Broadway plays. Here's a profile of one African-American women who has made her mark and inspire women everywhere.
Financial difficulties forced Catherine L. Hughes to give up her home and live with her young son in the studio of the first radio station she...
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Created on March 6, 2014 |
As we close out National African American History Month, the Commerce Department is proud to announce our participation in the launch of Business Sunday. This initiative is focused on connecting current and future business leaders from congregations and communities around the country with the federal resources they need to start and grow their companies. As a reflection of the President’s commitment to job creation and...
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Created on March 6, 2014 |
HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND
OF LOUISIANA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the Minority Business Development Agency on this its 45th Anniversary. Established in 1969, the MBDA has worked tirelessly and diligently to promote the growth and global competitiveness of a critical segment of the U.S. Economy, the minority...
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Created on March 4, 2014 |
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Created on February 24, 2014 |
Are you a minority business enterprise? Look south for your next customer! Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced the Look South initiative in January. The initiative is a U.S. Commerce Department-led, federal effort to encourage entrepreneurs like you to...
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Created on February 19, 2014 |
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Created on February 19, 2014 |
This post originally appeared on the White House blog.
Five years ago, on February 17, 2009, less than a month into his first term, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. At the time, the country was experiencing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Private employers had already cut almost 4 million jobs, trillions in dollars in household...