Located at SLMBC office
By Alvin A. Reid Of the St. Louis American
St. Louis and the St. Louis Minority Business Council have the government’s eyes upon them, but it’s a good thing.
The U.S. Commerce Department Minority Business Development Agency announced Tuesday that the SLMBC will receive more than $230,000 to fund establishment of the St. Louis Minority Business Enterprise Center (St. Louis MBEC).
MBDA awarded the grant to St. Louis after conducting a competitive solicitation and evaluation process. The St. Louis MBEC will help minority business enterprises in the St. Louis metropolitan area and throughout the state of Missouri to successfully compete in a global and changing marketplace.
“We are looking for a lot from St. Louis,” MBDA National Director Ronald N. Langston said during a press conference at the SLMBC office.
“You are a great partner, and we are very confident of the MBEC’s ability. President Bush and the Commerce Department recognize the potential growth opportunities for minority-owned firms in this area and the role these firms will play in keeping America competitive in a worldwide economy. Our goal at MBDA is to help these firms to grow in size, scale and capacity so they can create new jobs and contribute to the local and state tax base.”
The St. Louis MBEC will assist minority entrepreneurs striving to grow and expand their businesses.
“Too often, minority-owned businesses lose out on work because they are too small to handle demand,” said Rodney Crim, executive director of the St. Louis Development Corporation, who added that the SLMBC “is doing some great things.”
“If we can help mentor and grow minority-owned companies, they will be able to better compete, add workers, generate new business and increase revenues.”
The Center’s services provided include assessing a company’s potential to compete for public and private contracts, matching pre-qualified minority business enterprises with public and private sector contract opportunities, offering brokering services and assistance, providing access to buyers of goods and services and obtaining capital investment, bonding and other types of financial assistance.
Calling it “an exiting moment,” James Webb, SLMBC president and CEO, said the local MBEC is one of just 48 in the nation and added “we’re off the ground and up and running.”
“We will help grow businesses so they can add workforce to compete for larger, more lucrative projects.”
MBDA Chicago Regional Director Dobyne also attended the press conference, saying, “There is no question there are some economic challenges impacting minority-owned firms in the St. Louis area.
“Like MBDA, the Center’s performance will be measured by its ability to connect minority businesses with public and private contracts and capital.”
