Email: abetancourt@mbda.gov
MBDA Business Center Will Benefit California’s Central Valley Minority-Owned Firms
WASHINGTON (May 3, 2013) —The U.S. Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) officially launched a new MBDA Business Center in Fresno, Calif., today. State, regional and local representatives joined MBDA National Director, David A. Hinson in the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“One of our top priorities at MBDA is to expand the Agency’s reach so more minority-owned firms benefit from the expertise of our business centers,” said Hinson. “Establishing a presence in Fresno strengthens our ability to help the California Central Valley region’s minority-owned businesses grow and create jobs, which are key priorities of the Obama administration.”
The new business center, which will team with the San Jose and San Francisco MBDA Business Centers, will receive a federal grant of $300,000 per year over the next five years. The monies will be used to assist the minority-owned and managed firms in the region in gaining access to contracts, capital and markets, ultimately leading to the creation of new jobs and a stronger economy in the region.
Fresno was specifically chosen because of the high concentration of Native American-owned firms in the area. The center will address the unique economic challenges and opportunities in Indian Country while also serving the broader minority business community.
The Fresno MBDA Business Center is one of 37 MBDA Business Centers in the United States (and Puerto Rico). The Fresno MBDA Business Center will be operated by Asian, Inc., and David Mendoza will serve as the center’s executive director. Mendoza has extensive experience successfully serving minority-owned businesses in the San Francisco/San Jose area. He was one of the founders of the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and also served as coordinator of the regional Small Business Development Center for the University of California Merced network.
About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
MBDA, www.mbda.gov, an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, helps create and maintain U.S. jobs by promoting the growth and global competitiveness of large, medium and small businesses owned and operated by members of the minority and Diaspora communities. Through a national network of more than 40 business centers and a wide range of domestic and international strategic partners, MBDA provides Agency clients with the technical assistance and access to capital, contract opportunities and new markets that they need to create new jobs.
####
 |
Print Official Press Release |
