Black Business News

Transportation Initiative Will Help Small Businesses and Women

Washington D.C.

The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Community Economic Development Corporation (USBC-CEDC) recently announced it has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) as a Capital Region Small Business Transportation Resource Center. USBC, along with the Native American Development Center, were chosen in an effort to further the mission of USDOT’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and increase its impact on the small business community.

Focusing on advocacy, access to capital, contracting and entrepreneur training, USBC-CEDC was chosen based on an impressive background of assisting minority business owners and developing strong stakeholder relationships.

As a Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC), USBC-CEDC will develop and manage two annual Bonding Education Programs, support eligible businesses through USDOT’s Short-Term Lending Program, and facilitate a Women in Transportation Initiative, dedicated to placing college students in transportation internships during the summer. These programs will provide small minority women-owned businesses bond readiness training, access to capital lending options up to $750,000 for transportation specific projects, and hands on experience within the transportation industry.

“The USBC-CEDC will now have the ability to help more minority and women-owned businesses, including current members, gain more access to capital and secure contracts with USDOT,” said Ron Busby, Sr., President and CEO, of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., “We are proud to partner with the Department, and look forward to the Chambers and our members sustained growth over the next three years.”

USBC’s partnership with USDOT will increase awareness of resources, and financial assistance programs in the Capital region. For more information regarding SBTRCs near you, please contact the OSDBU Regional Assistance Division at (202) 366-1930 or visit www.dot.gov/osdbu.

Related Topics: