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

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[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. Read more

New City of Tacoma Small Business Recovery Grant Application Now Open

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Funding Opportunity for Tacoma-based businesses:

Small Business Recovery Grants of $15,000 each are now available to Tacoma-based micro-businesses of 15 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, including the owner(s). Eligible businesses will have owner(s) with a household income (not business) that does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income.
Grant applications will be accepted October 25, 2021 through November 15, 2021

Nonprofit Recovery Grants of $10,000-$75,000 each will be available to federally registered 501(c)(3) organizations impacted by the pandemic that focus on supporting Tacoma in the retention/creation of livable wage jobs. In support of the City’s anti-racist systems transformation efforts, this grant has a funding bonus for BIPOC organizations. Questions regarding the Nonprofit Recovery Grant program may be directed to NP-[email protected] or (253) 591-5208.

Staff will also be offering two online application workshops to help businesses navigate the application and funding process. For more information on the grant, application, and to register for the workshops, please see below. Read more

SBA: Microloans, Grants Updates, Upcoming Events

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Read the latest Seattle-Spokane SBA bulletin to learn about:

> Microloans, how to use them, and which microlenders are available to apply with.

> SBA Awards $388,000 in PRIME Grants to Business Impact NorthWest and Ventures, supporting the nonprofit organizations as they help low-income entrepreneurs get financing to establish and expand their small businesses by providing direct technical assistance, or provide capacity-building training for other organizations that provide capital to underserved small businesses.

> Upcoming Training and Webinars

You can view and subscribe to the SBA Bulletin here.

A Proclamation on Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2021

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President Joseph R. Biden has declared September 19-25, 2021 as National Minority Enterprise Development Week. Click here to read the proclamation.

2021 National Minority Enterprise Development Week Conference Hub is NOW LIVE!

MBDA is ready to lead the charge on 2021 National MED Week! Visit www.mbda.gov to enter the MED Week Conference Hub. Get an advanced view at what’s coming next week. Plan out your MED Week schedule early to maximize your experience!

Buy MBE Day 2021 – September 25th!

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Buy MBE Day helps generate awareness, support, and revenue to the millions of minority-owned firms across the country. Since 1983 MBDA has led the National Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) observance to recognize the achievements and economic contributions made by Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). This year’s MED Week celebration will culminate with the 2nd Annual Buy MBE Day on Saturday, September 25, 2021! Read more

Our MBDA Business Center Network Has Grown! 35 Centers, 9 New Locations!

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The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is awarding $13.9 million in federal funding to 35 grant recipients as part of its MBDA Business Center Program. The program is designed to help minority-owned firms create jobs, compete in the global economy and grow their businesses.  Read more

Application open for Pierce County Business Accelerator

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In response to the pandemic and the adverse impacts on underserved communities in Pierce County, the County Council has allocated $5M of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to launch the Pierce County Business Accelerator. The program will serve entrepreneurs and business owners throughout Pierce County with a focus on underserved communities to help foster innovation and create wealth-building opportunities.

The Pierce County Business Accelerator will provide direct access to business resources such as relevant training, coaching, technical assistance, and networking support to launch and grow micro businesses in Pierce County. Upon completion, participants will receive access to potential funding options, matching grant resources up to $10,000, a commercial rent stipend for one year up to $500/mo., and coaching/mentorship for one year. Read more

DUNS is being replaced by Unique Entity Identifiers

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As you may be aware, all entities wanting to register to do business with the federal government must first obtain a DUNS number.  The DUNS number is the current unique identifier that the government uses to verify your entity. On April 4, 2022, the U.S. government will switch from using the DUNS number to a new Unique Entity ID (SAM), also known as a UEI.
Click the link below for a release from GSA Integrated Award Environment to help answer questions about the change:
What do I need to know about the new Unique Entity ID in SAM.gov?

Sources: Washington PTAC, GSA

Vice President Harris Joins Administrator Guzman for a Conversation With Small Business Owners

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In case you missed it! On July 29, 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris and Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman joined small business owners from across the country as part of the Getting Back on Track Webinar Series by Small Business Administration (SBA) to discuss government resources and tools that are helping small business owners recover from the pandemic and build back better.

Watch video here

City of Tacoma Awarded $2 Million Federal MBDA Business Center Program Grant

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U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on July 8th announced that MBDA Tacoma received a $2 million award to support their operations for the next five years. The announcement came during a roundtable discussion with minority-owned small business leaders and entrepreneurs from across Washington who shared their own successful experiences with the Center.

The MBDA-Tacoma Business Center and Business Impact Northwest hosted the meeting which included Senator Cantwell, Commerce Secretary Raimondo, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards and a panel of minority-owned firms. CMBDA clients voiced their experiences and feedback about the importance of MBDA’s role in assisting minority-owned businesses and federal support for the agency. Read more

(253) 591-5835

747 Market Street, Room 808

Tacoma, Washington 98402