Statewide Economic Outreach Project Launched

The North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development
(Institute) announced a statewide outreach project to increase
minority business access to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) contracting opportunities in North Carolina. The project is a
partnership between the Institute's Minority Business Enterprise
Center (NCMBEC) and the US Department of Commerce's Minority Business
Development Agency (MBDA).

The MBDA selected five states in which to launch this special outreach
initiative: California, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, and
Pennsylvania. "Minority‐owned firms play a significant
role in the nation's economic growth," MBDA National
Director David Hinson said. "President Obama and the entire
Administration are committed to ensuring that minority businesses
receive their fair share of contracts in rebuilding our economy. This
effort is designed to put them into a position to do just that."

Over the next 90 days, the NCMBEC Recovery Outreach Project team, in
collaboration with organizations across the state, will host meetings
and programs to share information on ARRA opportunities. They will
work closely with governmental agencies to ensure that minority
businesses have access to contracting opportunities created by
stimulus funds. The outreach is also aimed at supporting state
government efforts to meet or exceed the goal of 10 percent of state
purchases and services from historically underutilized
businesses. "We have to work together to ensure that minority
businesses have access to the opportunities provided through our
state's recovery activities," said Andrea Harris,
President, the Institute. "Information is an absolute necessity.
It is not only essential to minority businesses, it is essential to
all businesses and to all communities across North Carolina." Minority
business owners can find out more about the outreach project, ARRA
contracting opportunities, and information about getting registered
for opportunities by visitingwww.ncmbecrecovery.com or calling
919.956.8889.

About the NC Institute of Minority Economic Development
The Institute is a statement organization promoting partnerships,
collaboration, and investment in underdeveloped neighborhoods,
underutilized businesses, and small businesses. Through research and
information, education and training, and business development, the
Institute works to build the state's business asset base and its
people. The Institute partners with major corporations, public and
private sector entities, such as the US Department of Commerce's
Minority Business Development Agency.

About the Minority Business Development Agency
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) at the U.S. Department
of Commerce is the only federal agency dedicated to advancing the
establishment and growth of minority‐owned firms in the United
States. Through a network of minority business centers and strategic
partners, MBDA works with minority entrepreneurs who wish to grow
their businesses in size, scale and capacity. These firms are then
better positioned to create jobs, impact local economies and expand
into national and global markets. MBDA has spent more than four
decades increasing the competitiveness of minority firms.