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A new statewide program will help minority-owned contractors access their share of federal stimulus money, government officials announced Friday.
During a news conference at a city bus facility just north of uptown Charlotte, officials from the N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development and other agencies unveiled the outreach effort. It was made possible with a federal grant and is meant to connect small businesses with stimulus-funded construction projects.
The hope, officials said, is to create jobs and jump-start the state's economic recovery.
"Right now, the No. 1 issue around everyone is ... jobs," Mayor Pat McCrory told the crowd of more than 50. "That's what everyone here is worried about."
This week, the U.S. Department of Commerce's minority business development agency granted $900,000 to seven minority business centers across the country, including one in Durham that will lead the N.C. effort.
The money will allow the office to hire at least one worker to focus exclusively on connecting stimulus money with minority-owned businesses. In addition, it will host meetings and educational programs across the state.
David Hinson, national director of the development agency, said the project would help businesses get their "fair share" of North Carolina's more than $6 billion in stimulus funds.
He also urged minority-owned businesses to reach out to the agencies that can help, and to be willing to adapt. Businesses should think about merging, for instance, or acquiring other companies to be stronger, Hinson said.
He said businesses in North Carolina have unique opportunities because of the state's intellectual capital and its leaders' emphasis on emerging fields such as energy and biotechnology.
Local businesses in the crowd Friday praised the government's efforts.
"Small business is really the foundation of any community," said Renee Jones, subcontractor program manager at Skanska USA Building Inc., which has an office in Charlotte. "Until we can get that stabilized and growth can continue, we'll have problems."
Jones said her company is a "huge supporter" of the N.C. minority business institute and often hires minority subcontractors for its projects. She said the company, which develops offices, homes and public-private partnership projects, also hosts educational sessions to help subcontractors earn contracts and complete them successfully.
State leaders will host five business-to-business forums, meant to match minority-owned businesses with stimulus fund recipients, as part of the new government effort. The first will be held Oct. 22 in Charlotte.
For more information, visit www.ncmbecrecovery.com.
