Minority Business Development Agency Awards $7.3 Million to Boost Job Creation

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), is the only Federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority-owned businesses.

Today, the agency announced $7.3 million in funding to winners of a grant competition designed to boost job creation and the global competitiveness of minority-owned businesses nationwide. The grant recipients will establish MBDA Business Centers in Baltimore, Bridgeport, Conn., Houston, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, and Washington, DC, joining a network of 40 MBDA Business Centers across the United States and Puerto Rico.

“MBDA is committed to the continued success of all minority-owned firms, who strengthen the economy and create American jobs,” said David A. Hinson, MBDA National Director. “These new centers will expand the number of front-line business experts we have providing resources to minority-owned businesses to help grow economies in more cities across the U.S.”

The recipients of the $7.3 million in grants include the following organizations:

• The City of Baltimore ($900,000) to operate the MBDA Business Center in Baltimore
• Houston Community College ($900,000) to operate the MBDA Business Center in Houston
• South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation ($1.5 million) to operate the MBDA Business Center in New York City
• ASIAN Inc. ($1.2 million) to operate the MBDA Business Center in San Francisco
• Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council ($900,000) to operate the MBDA Business Center in St. Louis
• Performance-Based Solutions ($900,000) to operate the MBDA Business Center in Washington, D.C.
• Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council ($1,020,000) to operate the MBDA Business Center inBridgeport, Conn., which will focus on the American Indian and Alaskan Native business community

The organizations will receive federal funds over a three-year period, except for the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, which will receive funds over a four-year period. The funds became effective September 1, 2013. MBDA will make additional announcements regarding site selections and when the new centers will open once details are available.