Press Releases

Cedar Rapids, IA – The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has retained Robert V. Morris, a Des Moines-based business development specialist, to assist in the recovery and revitalization of Iowa minority-owned businesses ravaged by the floods in the summer of 2008.  MBDA has been engaged in providing similar services to minority business enterprises in the Gulf Coast since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2006.
 
Morris has provided similar services for the U.S. Small Business Administration throughout Iowa.  He has also worked as a federal contractor with consulting, film production and construction companies since 1985. Morris will assist Eastern Iowa minority-owned businesses recovering from flood devastation to restore and grow their businesses.

MBDA Congratulates 2008 Presidential Rank Award Winner Edith J. McCloud
Recognized for Outstanding Leadership, Professionalism and Commitment to MBDA 

WASHINGTON (October 24, 2008)—President George W. Bush and Secretary of Commerce, Carlos M. Gutierrez recently announced that Edith J. McCloud, Associate Director for Management at the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) received the Presidential Rank Award for 2008.

Each year, the President recognizes and celebrates a small group of career Senior Executives and senior career employees with the Presidential Rank Award. Recipients of this prestigious award are strong leaders, professionals, and scientists who achieve results and consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service.

Statement by U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders’ Report to the President

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement today following the transmittal of two reports to the President from the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the Interagency Working Group on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). The reports provide recommendations on economic opportunities for AAPI-owned businesses and examine Federal Government programs to support the AAPI business community.

“I commend Chairman Rudy Pamintuan of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for his leadership in examining the current economic participation of the AAPI-owned businesses in our free market economy. I wish to thank Commissioner and Chair of the Report Committee Joseph Melookaran and the Commission for their hard work and for compiling this report to the President.

Hispanic-Owned Firm, Heritage Hotels & Resorts, Inc., Receives National Minority Business Award
Albuquerque-based Businessman Honored by MBDA at its 24th National Minority Enterprise Development Week Awards Gala in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON—The Minority Business Development Agency’s National Director Ronald N. Langston recognized Jim Long, a Hispanic entrepreneur and founder of Heritage Hotels & Resorts, Inc. as the 2006 National Minority Retailer of the Year award winner during the 24th National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week conference in Washington, D.C.

“The MBDA Entrepreneur of the Year award honors entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, hard work and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures,” said National MBDA Director Ronald N. Langston. “Mr. Long along with the remaining MBDA national winners truly exemplifies what it means to be a successful entrepreneur who has created wealth and jobs for building and sustaining economy and the community.”

“Receiving the National Minority Retail Firm of the year award is recognition of the tremendous accomplishments of all the associates of Heritage Hotels and Resorts,” said Jim Long, President of Heritage Hotels and Resorts, Inc. “Our associates are hard-working and dedicated individuals. Each associate has been courageous in committing to create a hotel company that recognizes and promotes the local culture of their communities.”