Minority Business Development Program

In 2003, Chamber leaders re-established a Minority Business Development program. The goal of the program is to arm minority and women business owners with the tools necessary to compete on a larger scale. Another goal is to stimulate business relationships between minority and women-owned businesses and major employers.

Objectives of the Chamber's Minority Business Development program:

  • To assist minority and women business-owners in developing a greater understanding and appreciation for the pre-requisites and requirements for procuring business with medium to large-sized organizations and companies.
  • To introduce strategies for small businesses to increase the size and amount of contracts for which minority and women-owned companies can compete.
  • To develop a full understanding and appreciation for the local certification process, as well as the other certifications that are available to minority and women-owned companies.
  • To address any “unique” issues associated with minority business development.
  • To provide resources to assist minority and women-owned businesses in becoming successful.

Each element of the Chamber's Minority Business Development Program is underwritten by Jackson Energy Authority and all services are free to minority and women company-owners throughout West Tennessee . Jackson Energy Authority began its own Local Small Business Diversity Program (LSBDP) in 1999 in an effort to increase its supplier diversity. This partnership has grown over the last several years, and has been greatly beneficial to the area's minority and women-owned companies. For more information on Jackson Energy Authority's LSBDP, click here.

Below are the various components of the Minority Business Development Program:

Training Opportunities

Several educational sessions are held throughout the year on a variety of topics including Marketing, Finance and Doing Business with Major Employers. These seminars incorporate numerous elements including: licensing, bonding, certification, insurance, bid requests, requests for proposal, negotiating prices, joint ventures, strategic alliances, cash-flow management, receivable financing, advertising, sales calls, networking and sales referrals.

Certification

The certification process recognizes excellence in business standards. Many large companies will only do business with certified companies. Being certified sends a message of credibility and competence to those wanting to do business with a company. In order to qualify for certification, a company must meet at least one of the following two classifications:

  • Must be at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a minority or a group of minorities who are African American, Native American, Hispanic American or Asian-Pacific American and is a United States Citizen.
  • A woman-owned business is at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a woman or a group of women who are United States citizens.

In addition, the certification ensures that all necessary licenses and paperwork are in order and an on-site visit is made by Infinite Consulting.

Directory

Each year, the Chamber publishes a directory of area minority and women-owned businesses. These are distributed to area major employers, other minority companies, and others. Copies of the directory are available by request.

Networking

The Chamber's Minority Business Development Program has been extremely successful in creating opportunities for minority and women business-owners to network with each other, as well as with other businesses. Each seminar, training session, roundtable, luncheon, etc., offers a superb networking environment and an opportunity for people to make contacts and share product or service information with others outside the normal business circle.

If you would like more information on the Chamber's Minority Business Development Program, please contact Mandy White at 731-423-2200 or email mwhite@jacksontn.com.