Promoting Business Diversity
October 1, 2004
Across our nation, the entrepreneurial spirit has generated a wave of new businesses that are helping to stimulate our rural economy, bringing new jobs and a better way of life to our rural communities. President George W. Bush proclaimed September 5 through September 11, 2004, as Minority Enterprise Development Week. During this time we celebrate the diversity of businesses in rural areas, and set new goals to increase economic opportunity for more families.
In rural America, increasing homeownership and new business opportunities are changing the lives of millions of Americans. These two triggers to success are cornerstones of USDA Rural Development’s efforts to help increase economic freedom and security for all rural Americans, regardless of their race, ethnicity and culture.
This summer, in a speech to the National Urban League, President Bush said that America "can and will be a place of opportunity and hope for every single citizen." USDA Rural Development is committed to making that vision a reality.
Over the last year, USDA Rural Development has worked to enhance the opportunities for minority-owned businesses to expand – and for new minority-owned businesses to open. We signed a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) that encourages the sharing of information on business financing and the availability of technical assistance, along with identifying ways to improve the delivery of rural business programs to minorities. By collaborating with the MBDA, we hope to increase the level of minority participation in USDA’s many business programs.
We are making positive progress and our challenge is to do more and to continually raise the bar higher. We are committed to ensure that every person has an equal opportunity to share in the American Dream.
To learn more about USDA Rural Development financing and technical assistance programs, contact any of the eight local USDA Rural Development offices in Colorado or visit our website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/co/index.html.
USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities.