MBDA Announces New Grants to Spur American Innovation and Competitiveness

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) launched a search for prospective partners to operate their newly improved business center program. Under the new program, the nationwide business center network is more integrated, places more emphasis on collaboration, and was designed to ensure the quality and consistency of service delivery throughout our nationwide network of business centers.

MBDA plans to award five individual cooperative agreements to operate MBDA Business Centers beginning in September 2016. The awards will cover a 5-year period and total $1.5 million annually for each Center. The Centers will be located in Baltimore, Maryland, Boston, Massachusetts, Manhattan, New York, Pasadena, California, and St. Louis, Missouri.

"The success of minority-owned businesses is vital to the U.S. economy. These Centers will help our inventors, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs remain on the cutting edge at the speed required in the 21st century," said MBDA National Director, Alejandra Y. Castillo.

MBDA is looking for organizations to deliver business consulting services to minority-owned firms, providing them increased access to public and private sector contracting opportunities, financing, and capital investments. Successful applicants will be those that have experience in assisting minority firms with obtaining large scale contracts and financial transactions; accessing corporate supply chains; facilitating joint ventures, teaming arrangements, mergers, and acquisitions; inducting export transactions; and performing minority business advocacy.

The following types of organizations are encouraged to apply:

• for-profit entities
• non-profit organizations
• state and local government entities
• Native American tribes
• educational institutions

Applications are due December 21, 2015. More information can be found on at www.grants.gov or www.mbda.gov. A pre-application teleconference will be conducted November 2, 2015 to provide background information and answer questions about the program and application process. Details can be found on www.mbda.gov.

There is another open grant competition (MBDA-OBD-2016-2004579) to operate business centers in 29 locations.

About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
MBDA, www.mbda.gov, is the only Federal Government agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority-owned businesses. Our programs and services better equip minority-owned firms to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues and expand regionally, nationally and internationally. Services are provided through a network of MBDA Business Centers. After 45 years of service, MBDA continues to be a dedicated strategic partner to all U.S. minority-owned businesses, committed to providing programs and services that build size, scale and capacity through access to capital, contracts and markets. Follow us on Twitter @usmbda.

Contact: Velicia Woods
Phone: (202) 482-0491
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

Related Links

http://www.mbda.gov