Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter a grant agreement with The Columbus Urban League Chamber of Commerce, in an amount up to $220,000.00, for the purpose of providing support to the Urban Business Connection Program. The Urban Business Connection Program is a partnership between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Columbus Urban League.
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber in the Columbus region with membership access to great opportunities for participating businesses in the Columbus community. Services provided by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce include workforce development, government advocacy efforts and business solutions. These services ensure growth and development in the Columbus region.
The Columbus Urban League is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to serve as an advocate and resource in urban communities to promote growth, wealth, education, earning power and small business development.
In order to reach more businesses in the Columbus business community, the Columbus Chamber and The Columbus Urban League combined efforts to advance a shared priority of reaching underserved businesses. The Urban Business Connection Program was designed to improve racial inequities among minority entrepreneurs and businesses. Through the collaboration, the city’s grant funds will be used to assist the Chamber in providing free membership to one hundred black-owned businesses. Also through the program, businesses have access to a suite of services including business connections, specialized consultations, and research expanded services in marketing and visibility in the Columbus community. Funds will also be used to help expand participation for up to 30 black-owned businesses for a new cohort size of 100, and develop key partnerships that foster the stabilization and growth of minority-owned businesses.
This legislation allows for reimbursemen...
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