Blog

Last month, Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank signed the “Tribal Consultation and Coordination Policy," (PDF) which establishes the manner in which the Department works...

Getting the right information at the right time is a valuable advantage in business.  Being able to accomplish both while saving time and financial resources is priceless.  MBDA is excited to announce an ongoing series of web-based seminars that allow for business owners to explore opportunities, access current information on business trends, and connect with industry experts and peers.

To date, we’ve introduced...

On April 10^th President Obama sent to Congress a $3.78 trillion budget proposal. This budget boasts a strong investment in advanced manufacturing, innovation, and infrastructure. With every single program in this budget fully paid for, this proposal sustains itself without adding a dime to the deficit.  The FY 2014 President’s Budget, when combined with the deficit reduction already achieved, allows us to...

With 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside U.S. borders, helping U.S. companies find partnerships and customers in fast-growing markets is crucial to creating a strong and vibrant economy built on good middle class jobs.

As a part of our overall goal to increase American exports, next week, 20 U.S.-based companies will join me on an infrastructure-focused trade mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil; Bogota,...

Sana International Commerce, Inc. (Sana International Commerce) received the Minority Business Exporter of the Year award from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). The award was presented at the Bank's 38th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

"By selling their products to customers overseas, Sana International Commerce has been able to drastically increase sales and sustain...

May brings warmer weather, longer days, and, most importantly for us at the Department of Commerce, World Trade Month. For years, this has been a special time to reflect on the importance of trade to our nation’s economic well-being.

Over the past few months, we’ve discussed what an important year...

Exporting your product and services requires planning. Like any successful project, one of the first steps is making a plan.  Whether you’re going on vacation, conducting a domestic business transaction or starting a new venture one common trait is essential for success . . .  careful attention to detail.  A great starting point to determine your company’s level of preparedness for international market entry is completing an export readiness assessment.

Selecting the appropriate markets for our products and services, determining how to strategically engage target markets, and...

The Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) is a new Administration-wide initiative that will accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing and help communities cultivate an environment for businesses to create well-paying manufacturing jobs in cities across the country.

Through the IMCP, the President is directing Federal agencies to provide coordinated assistance to manufacturing communities...

The Internal Revenue Service recently released an update to their IRS2Go mobile app. One of the new features of the app, available on the Android and iOS...

I have the pleasure of meeting frequently with business owners from across the country. They talk about where their challenges are in growing and sustaining their businesses, and they also talk about how locating production abroad hasn’t...

The following blog post was written by U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank and Special Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation Jonathan...

According to Ernst & Young’s “Six Trends Shaping the Global World,” 70% of world growth over the next several years will come from emerging markets. The emerging markets in Brazil, Russia, India, and China, commonly referred to as BRIC will represent 50% of global gross domestic product growth (GDP). Furthermore, between now and 2050 world population is estimated to grow by around 2.43 billion and global GDP reach $56...

Two critical segments of our nation’s economy were brought to center stage this month, the Native American and Alaska Native and women-owned business communities. I had the privilege of speaking at the 27th Annual National Reservation Economic Summit (RES) hosted by The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Each year, The National Center brings tribal leaders together with numerous industry leaders, CEOs...

Are you interested in exporting to a new market? Need help finding the best overseas business partner?

The U.S. Commercial Service’s Gold Key business matchmaking service does exactly that. The Gold Key Service is a cost-recovery fee based, customized matchmaking service, which enables U.S. companies to find an ideal overseas distributor or business representative. The Gold...

As a business owner you need to understand how taxes are going to affect you and your business. It is important that you file properly, avoid audits, and claim the right tax deductions.

Here are a five tips that may ease the burden of tax preparation and to help you get ready for the April 15, 2013 deadline.

Keep Good Records and Understand Available Deductions

Proper record-keeping year-...

Do you sell bowling balls to Bangladesh? Or dish towels to Delhi? Maybe you send laser technology to Lisbon? If you export your goods or services around the world and have used a federal government program or assistance to get there, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) want to see your story. Enter the “2013 SBA-Visa Export Video Contest”, where participants will have a chance to win up to $10,000 in prize money. Eligible small business exporters are encouraged to submit a video that will highlight...

The name “Tennessee” originated from an old Yuchi Indian term "Tana-see" meaning "The Meeting Place".  With the state’s long history of entrepreneurship and innovation, it’s no coincidence that an MBDA Business Center has made its home in Memphis.  

The Memphis MBDA Business Center was launched in April 2012.  In less than a year, they have reported assisting minority-owned firms secure over $26 million in...

On Friday, January 4, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed Executive Directive No. 27 establishing the Office of Contractor Relations for the City of Los Angeles.

The office, part of the Mayor’s Economic and Business Policy Office, is designed to enact and oversee programs, policies, and procedures to ensure that all...

“So let us honor those who came before by striving toward their example, and let us follow in their footsteps toward the better future that is ours to claim.”

 President Barack Obama, 2013 National African American History Month Proclamation

As a Harvard-trained historian, Carter G. Woodson, like W. E. B. Du Bois before him, believed that truth could not be denied and...

Enable Small Businesses to Bid on Larger Contracts and Grow

A major revision in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program more than triples the eligible contract amount, from $2 million to $6.5 million, the Agency will guarantee on surety bonds for both public and private contracts.

What does this mean for small businesses...

On Thursday, January 3rd, 2013, the 113th Congress was sworn in and began the new legislative session. One of its first acts came on Friday, January 4th, when the House and Senate passed a bill providing $9.7 billion in aid for victims of Superstorm Sandy. Signed by President Obama on January 6, the aid comes in the form of increased borrowing authority for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) so that it...

Minority-owned businesses are the fastest growing business sector in the Nation, in terms of gross receipts and paid employees.^[1] Yet, access to capital remains the biggest obstacle limiting their establishment, expansion and growth. While...

As we approach the winter holidays, we pause to thank you for your continued partnership. It is business associates like you that bring a rich mosaic of experiences, attitudes and views that continue to advance MBDA’s mission to create jobs and foster the growth and global competitiveness of minority-owned firms.

It’s been an extremely productive year at MBDA and we are excited to share some of our...

The Minority Business Development Agency pays tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans as we approach the final days of Native American Heritage Month.  According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, “What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and...