Promoting Business Diversity
By Gigi Dennis
State Director USDA Rural Development
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. |