Press Releases

 Agency Will Honor 12 Business Leaders, Minority Business Advocates and Companies at the MED Week Conference

WASHINGTON (November 29, 2012) — The U.S. Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) today announced the 2012 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week award winners. This year’s awards recognize the outstanding contributions of 12 private sector, non-profit entities and leaders in the categories of lifetime achievement, leadership, access to capital, exporting and manufacturing that have had a major impact in the growth of minority business enterprises. The winners will be honored on December 6, 2012, during the 30th Anniversary MED Week Conference.

The winners include a U.S. Congressman, presidents of manufacturing and service companies, leaders of non-profit training and advocacy groups, and successful private-sector manufacturing, exporting and finance concerns, all of whom have contributed significantly to minority business development, job creation and economic growth throughout the country.

AK, CA, NM, ND and OK Receive Federal Funds

Washington, DC (September 14, 2012) — The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced the winners of a grant competition to spur job creation and economic development in states with large American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Approximately $6.6 million in Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) funds is being invested with local entities to operate new MBDA Business Centers in Anchorage, Alaska; Fresno, California; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Bismarck, North Dakota; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Today’s announcement builds upon the Obama administration’s commitment to economic growth and job creation in Indian Country,” said Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank. “The new MBDA Business Centers will provide minority entrepreneurs and businesses with the expertise and tools they need to compete globally and create good paying jobs in America.”

Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Performance Report Released

Washington, DC (June 25, 2012) – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) experienced record-breaking performance in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 as detailed in its FY 2011 Annual Performance Report, released today. Despite the serious headwinds the economy is facing, more than 5,780 new jobs were created by minority-owned firms working with MBDA and its network of MBDA Business Centers in FY 2011. Overall, MBDA has helped minority-owned firms create more than 16,300 new jobs for Americans between FY 2009-FY 2011. 

The number of new jobs created by minority-owned firms who received services from MBDA between FY 2009-FY 2011 represents an increase of 20 percent over the prior three-year period. And, during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, MBDA aided in securing nearly $11 billion in contracts and capital for minority-owned firms, including $4 billion in FY11 alone. 

Funds will establish a new MBDA Business Center in Memphis; Support Existing Centers in Houston, New Orleans

Washington, DC (April 19, 2012) - Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) announced $3.4 million in funding to winners of a grant competition designed to boost job creation and the global competitiveness of minority-owned firms.

“One of my top priorities while at MBDA has been to expand the Agency’s reach so more minority-owned firms benefit from the expertise of our business centers,” said MBDA National Director David A. Hinson. “Establishing a presence in Memphis strengthens our ability to help the Delta region support minority-owned businesses and boost job creation, key priorities of the Obama Administration.”

The $3.4 million in funds will support the creation of an MBDA Business Center in Memphis, and also support existing Centers in Houston, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. With the addition of Memphis, Tennessee, the Agency’s footprint covers twenty-six states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.