Action & Integration: Economic Development Organizations
Equitable Business Marketing & Attraction
Equitable business marketing and attraction strategies are commitments that integrate DEI into the overall organizational marketing strategy. This includes sharing stories that accurately reflect the people and businesses in the community or highlighting opportunity zones.
Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship
Small business development and entrepreneurship DEI address strategies that focus on underserved business communities. This could include developing targeted technical assistance programs, networking groups, or creating collaboration between anchor institutions & small business assistance providers.
Business Diversity & Inclusion
The Black Economic Leadership League of Rock Hill
Access to Capital and Alternative Funding for Diverse Business Owners
Access to capital is the number one concern of all small business owners and start-up businesses in the United States. Removing barriers for minority-owned firms to access capital provides an opportunity to develop and grow locally-owned Michigan businesses.
Boosting Minority-Owned Businesses Through Microlending
Neighborhood Business Works (NBW) Program
Equitable Business Advocacy Services
Many economic development organizations’ main priority is serving the local business community, ensuring businesses’ views and concerns are represented and voiced. Reevaluating current business advocacy efforts could help identify which businesses are being overlooked and how to serve them best.
- Targeted outreach to businesses in underserved communities (*recommended source needed)
- Translated programs & services content (*recommended source needed)
- Outreach outside of typical office hours and commercial areas (*recommended source needed)
- Partner with affinity groups or networks of small business owners the organization can connect with to reach unserved businesses. (*recommended source needed)
- Projects & Programs – Prosper Portland