1. The State of Minority Business
Larry Stevens, SBDC Regional Director
Garry James, SBDC Minority Outreach Manager
November 8, 2012

2. Overview of ASBDC State of Minority Business Breakout Session
TRUST and the Hispanic community.
The value of connecting with a community CHAMPION
SC SBDC Consultant Participation

3. Minority Outreach Efforts
Denominational Workshops (i.e., Baptist, Church of God in Christ, UMC, etc.)
Statewide Awareness Events (i.e., CMA, Columbia Chamber of Commerce, North Columbia Business Association, MBRN, Young Farmers Association, etc.)
Government Contracting Seminars (collaborative effort with USC SBDC office)
Media Requests (radio & television requests)

4. Greatest Needs of Minority Businesses
Strengthening of Business Infrastructure
Commitment to Minority Certifications (8A, DBE, MBE, OSMBA, SDV) to Pursue Set Asides
Access to Capital (micro-lending)
Long-term SBDC relationships
Exposure to Opportunities (ex. SBIR & STTR)
Performance Measure Baseline development (Responsive & Responsible)
Beyond “Good Faith Efforts”
Joint Venture & Teaming Opportunities
Need to Diversify

5. Established Collaborative Efforts
Midlands Business Referral Network - Greater Columbia Community Relations Council - SBDC Minority Outreach Program (consultation with network of 103 Minority Owned Businesses steered toward meeting SBDC metrics)
Department of Commerce, Governor’s Office (OSMBA), SBDC Minority Outreach Program – Strategic Plan Development
Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Foundation & SBDC Minority Outreach Program ($10 million + matching funds)

6. Established Collaborative Efforts
City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunity
TD Bank
SBA
Lexington County Economic Development
Columbia Metropolitan Airport
SC Aeronautics Commission
USC Technology Incubator
Young Farmer’s Association

7. 2013 and Beyond Secure Funding Work with community stakeholders
Metrics
Expand Outreach Awareness Efforts
Increase Exporting, Technology-based and other High End Business Development
Strengthen SC Economy

8. Questions???