The Minority Business Development Agency is Permanently Authorized in Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

The Minority Business Development Agency is Permanently Authorized in Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
DModeste@mbda.gov
Mon, 11/15/2021 – 16:11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 15, 2021
Bill’s passage assigns an Under Secretary to oversee the Agency, mandates services to rural areas, provides authorities for a new Minority Business Development Grant program and the creation of partnerships with HBCU’s and minority-serving institutions.

[Washington, DC | November 15, 2021] – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is made permanent and will be expanded and elevated with the passage of this historic legislation. This action allows the agency to increase their programs and outreach to the Nation’s more than 9 million minority-owned businesses.

“President Biden has made clear his commitment to not just rebuilding to how things were before COVID-19, but to building back better and more equitably,” said U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo. “The Minority Business Development Agency is ready to step into this historic moment and build on its success – because we recognize that America’s road to recovery runs through our minority business community. Making MBDA a statutory Agency provides MBDA with the authorities, workforce and resources needed to help level the playing field on behalf of minority businesses and minority entrepreneurs.”

“The Department of Commerce and MBDA play a pivotal role in promoting the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses,” said U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves. “This legislation is transformative and signifies a new era in minority business development and progress toward addressing the long-standing racial disparities in access to capital, contracts, and business ecosystems.”

“Created by Executive Order in 1969, the Minority Business Development Agency is the only federal agency solely dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises,” said Miguel Estién, Acting National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency. “The Minority Business Development Act of 2021 is one of the most significant pieces of legislation impacting the minority business community in the last 50 years. I look forward to helping lead the Agency’s transformation at this critical juncture in our nation’s history.”

The bill expands the geographic reach of the MBDA by authorizing the creation of regional MBDA offices, rural business centers, and increasing the number and scope of existing programs.

The Act also:

Creates a presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development to lead the agency.
Increases the MBDA’s grant-making capacity to partner with community and national nonprofits engaged in private and public sector development as well as research.
Mandates the creation of the Parren J. Mitchel Entrepreneurship Education Grants Program to cultivate the next generation of minority entrepreneurs on the campuses HBCUs and MSIs across the Nation.
Creates a council to advise the Under Secretary on supporting MBEs; and
Authorizes the Under Secretary to coordinate federal MBE programs.

The MBDA will report on the implementation milestones of the Minority Business Development Act of 2021 through the website, www.MBDA.gov.

Print Official Press Release

Minority Business Development Agency Releases Report on Businesses and Workers in Indian Country

Minority Business Development Agency Releases Report on Businesses and Workers in Indian Country
Minority Business Development Agency Releases Report on Businesses and Workers in Indian Country
DModeste@mbda.gov
Tue, 11/23/2021 – 10:02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Key findings reveal importance of digital infrastructure, access to markets and a skilled workforce, and the role of Tribal self-governance in business development

[Washington, DC | November 23, 2021] – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) released a report entitled, “Keys to Unlocking Business Development in Indian County.” The report is the result of an in-depth examination of economic characteristics across 166 tribes in comparison to the broader U.S. economy, including regional and rural areas. The report affirms that a defining feature of most tribal lands is remoteness and the keys to unlocking prosperity are similar to other rural communities. Interviews with Tribal leaders, Native entrepreneurs and business experts reveal Indian Country also faces unique business development opportunities and challenges related to tribal sovereignty.

“This report sheds light on current constraints that must be addressed to stimulate business development and economic growth in Tribal communities.” said Miguel Estién, Acting National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency. “Despite long-standing challenges, Native communities are expanding business development into the manufacturing sector, professional services, and renewable energy.”

“Keys to Unlocking Business Development in Indian Country” examines the impact of remoteness on workforce and business development, business ownership, and unemployment on tribal land. Policies that aim to eliminate barriers to markets and opportunities outside the immediate reservation should be a priority. These policies may include but are not limited to building out digital infrastructure in tribal areas, business capacity building in e-commerce and digital platforms, skills training and workforce development, increasing opportunities for higher education, and maximizing government contract opportunities.

Other interesting findings include:
The presence of a large gaming facility or natural resource project cannot alone make up for the disadvantages of remoteness.
Three sectors with the greatest potential to grow and take advantage of access to external markets are mining; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and administrative and support and waste management.
The results also indicate that, all else equal, self-employment is greater in areas that have more economic activity and employment in agriculture, construction, and manufacturing sectors, and less economic activity and employment in public administration and government.
There is a need for further in-depth analysis on the different types of self-governance contracts and compacts as well as their effect on business development in Indian Country.

The report, “Keys to Unlocking Business Development in Indian Country” is available on the MBDA website, www.MBDA.gov.

Print Official Press Release

Minority Business Development Agency Awards $3.9M to Serve Indigenous Community

Minority Business Development Agency Awards $3.9M to Serve Indigenous Community
DModeste@mbda.gov
Tue, 11/23/2021 – 10:13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
State and local Tribal organizations to provide training programs, access to capital, and business development to Native entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON (November 23, 2021) — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) awarded $3.9 million in federal funding to thirteen (13) grant recipients to establish MBDA American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (AIANNH) projects. To support Tribal and native business growth, the AIANNH Projects aim to address one or more of three strategic initiatives: innovation and entrepreneurship (e.g., business trainings, incubators, coaching); strategic planning (e.g., entrepreneurial and economic development); and/or transformative projects (e.g., infrastructure focused public-private partnerships, and broadband).

“Minority business enterprises in Tribal communities are a critical component of the U.S. economy,” said MBDA Acting National Director Miguel Estién. “These programs are investments in community institutions and organizations who will provide Native entrepreneurs with the assistance they need to be competitive and grow their businesses.”

The MBDA AIANNH Projects are two-year grants, each recipient receiving $300,000 per year. Recipients include:

MBDA American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian projects:

Alaska: Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc
Arizona: Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Arizona: National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
California: Asian, Inc
Montana: Native American Development Corporation
Montana: Salish Kootenai College
Oklahoma: Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc
Oklahoma: Oregon Native American Business Entrepreneurial Network
Oregon: Oregon Native American Chamber
New Mexico: Southwest Business Development Consultants, LLC
New Mexico: Regents of New Mexico State University
Michigan: Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Washington: South Puget Intertribal Planning

For the latest information on MBDA programs and announcements, please visit www.MBDA.gov.

Print Official Press Release