Seven Local Centers Receive Funds
Washington, D.C. (October 6, 2009) – The U.S. Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) today allocated a total of $900,000 to seven minority business centers across the country to increase minority business access to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) contracting opportunities.
“Minority-owned firms play a significant role in the nation’s economic growth,” MBDA National Director David Hinson said. “President Obama and the entire Administration are committed to ensuring that minority businesses receive their fair share of contracts in rebuilding our economy. This effort is designed to put them into a position to do just that.”
The Minority Business Centers, located in Mesa, AZ; Bismarck, ND; New Orleans, LA; Durham, NC; San Jose, CA; Detroit, MI and Philadelphia, PA will enhance the nationwide effort to create jobs, jumpstart growth and transform the economy for the 21st century.
The funding will allow each center to hire at least one business development specialist to focus exclusively on ARRA to ensure minority businesses have access to federal, state and local contracting opportunities.
The Administration recommends that minority businesses throughout the country take the following steps to ensure they are prepared to take advantage of ARRA opportunities:
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Register in the Central Contracting Registry (CCR) www.ccr.gov.
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Visit your local MBDA minority business center and register in the Phoenix Opportunity Database at www.mbda.gov.
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Make contacts, build relationships and form strategic alliances. Some contracts may be large or bundled, but by building strategic partnerships with other companies, smaller businesses can still be part of the work.
Along with adding business development specialists in strategic markets, MBDA will hold or participate in hundreds of ARRA related events to share information on government contracting opportunities at the federal, state and local levels.
Minority business owners can find out more about ARRA-related events and contracting opportunities by visiting www.fedbizopps.gov or www.recovery.gov. Minority business owners should visit www.mbda.gov for more information.
About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
MBDA (www.mbda.gov), U.S. Department of Commerce, serves minority entrepreneurs across America who are building and growing businesses. For the last 40 years, MBDA has promoted the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned firms. These firms are then better equipped to create jobs, impact local economies and compete successfully in domestic and global marketplaces. With a nationwide network of nearly 50 business centers and strategic partners, MBDA assists minority entrepreneurs and business owners with consulting services, contract and financing opportunities, bonding and certification services and building business-to-business alliances.
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