PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To facilitate opportunities for minority businesses through the utilization of Federal, State and local governmental entities, and private sector organizations, that provide minority business owners/individuals with enhanced access to the marketplace by identifying and facilitating procurement and contract awards, marketing and sales opportunities, financing resources, potential joint venture partners, timely market leads and other current business information; to promote relationship building and sharing of business information between organizations in a geographic service area, conducting substantial purchasing activity; to assist in the identification of sources of capital; conduct media outreach, disseminate economic data, sponsors workshops, conferences and seminars within service area; maintain inventories of resources such as bid opportunities, sources of debt and equity funds, business ownership possibilities such as franchises, and prospective joint venture partners.

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. BUSINESS AND COMMERCE;
- Small Business;
- Minority Business Enterprise;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- Minority group;
- Black;
- American Indian;
- Spanish Origin;
- Oriental;
- Other Non-White;

 WHO CAN APPLY:
- State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Local (includes State-designated Indian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Public non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Private non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Quasi-public non-profit institution/organization;