 eSpin Technologies Celebrated as MED Week’s Manufacturer of the Year
Atlanta MBDA Business Center client, eSpin Technologies, has been selected as Manufacturer of the Year in conjunction with the National Minority Development Enterprise (MED) Week conference. eSpin Technologies has worked closely with the Center in their transition from manufacturing nano filters to face masks for Volkswagen after the onset of COVID-19. The National MED Week conference, Sept. 19-25, is dedicated to celebrating your achievements as minority owned businesses, so stay tuned for future award winners. Congratulations to eSpin President & CEO Jayesh Doshi – we look forward to seeing you during MED week! Learn more.
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Federal MBDA Program Receives Permanent Status
 On Aug. 4, the U.S. Senate approved a bipartisan amendment that will make the Federal Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) permanent, and expand the program’s reach and funding. U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Ben Cardin states that “the COVID-19 pandemic has shined a bright light on the unique burdens that minority entrepreneurs face”, encouraging the Senate to allocate resources, leadership, and stability to the MBDA program. We at the Atlanta MBDA are pleased with this approval and we look forward to continuing the good work. Read more.
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Georgia Tech Director of Diversity Engagement and Program Development Explores Sole Proprietorship in Black Businesses with Henry Childs II
 Donna M. Ennis, C.P.F, Director, Diversity Engagement and Program Development, Enterprise Innovation Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, discusses the difference between growing your business and scaling it, and addresses the disproportionate percentage of Black businesses operating as sole proprietors, in this BayOne Solutions interview. Ennis provides valuable insight into developing strategies and best practices in scaling Black businesses, highlighting the importance of education and technical expertise. Listen here.
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Atlanta MBDA Business Center Partners with Amazon to Support Black Businesses
 Atlanta MBDA Business Center is proud to be support Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator. Amazon’s new Black Business Accelerator provides access to capital, business guidance, mentorship, and marketing support to help Black business owners succeed as sellers in Amazon’s store. Learn more.
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GMSDC Spirit of Alliance Awards Moved to Sept. 16
 Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) President and CEO, Stacey J. Key, has announced the rescheduling of the Spirit of Alliance Awards, originally held Aug. 19, to Sept. 16. The Spirit of Alliance Awards celebrate individuals, small businesses, corporate and government entities for their contributions to supplier diversity and small business development in Georgia, honoring the best and brightest minds in progressive minority supplier development. Read more.
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SBA Announces Moratorium on Place of Business Requirements for the 8(a) Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced a moratorium on the requirement that participants in SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program must establish a bona fide place of business in a specific geographic area in order to be awarded any construction contract through the 8(a) Program due to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. The moratorium is effective Aug. 25, 2021, and applies to all 8(a) construction contracts offered to the 8(a) Program between Aug. 25, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2022. Read more.
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Fund for Small Business Owners of Color
American Express and Accion Opportunity Fund - a leading nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) small business lender - are providing loans and other resources to underfunded small business owners in the U.S.
Read more.
SOAR Fund for Small Businesses
The Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) Fund is providing affordable capital to the smallest of small businesses and nonprofits and those that have been historically underbanked, including women, people of color, immigrants, and those in rural communities across the South. Nonprofits and small business owners with fewer than 50 full-time employees can apply now for very low interest loans of up to $100,000 and free business support.
Learn more.
SBA Grants & Funding
Shuttered Venue Grant
The SBA launched a splash page for the application portal where small business owners of eligible venues may apply for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) starting April 8. Eligible entities that applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan after Dec. 27, 2020 can also apply for the SVOG, with the eligible entity's SVOG reduced by the PPP loan amount.
Does Your Small Business Qualify for the EIDL?
The SBA is reaching out to small businesses that qualify for the COVID-19 targeted Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Click here to learn more.
EIDL Lending Limits Increased
The SBA has raised the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.
EIDL Extends Deferments Until 2022
The SBA announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022. Read more.
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Register Today for National MED Week 2021!
You are invited to register for the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency's 2021 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week! President Joseph R. Biden will issue a Presidential Proclamation declaring Sept. 19-25 as National MED Week, reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to economic social justice and acknowledging the achievements of minority entrepreneurs. Join the celebration and register here!
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Learn How to Sell Your Product or Service to the Government
The Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) is helping Georgia businesses, large or small, to identify, compete for, and win government contracts at no cost with federal, state or local government agencies. Learn more.
Georgia Tech Resources Available for You
Get to know the greater Georgia Tech community and the multitude of benefits available to you that can only be accessed by partnering with a leading research and engineering institution. Read more.
Grow Your Business with Export Opportunities in Africa
Learn how export opportunities in Africa can help you grow your small business with EXIM’s webinar. Learn more.
How to Use Resources to Grow Your Business Internationally
Learn what resources are available to grow your business internationally with EXIM’s webinar. Learn more.
Looking for Our Event Recordings?
If you’ve missed an event or are looking to listen to an event you’ve attended, Atlanta MBDA Centers Recorded Webinars and Podcasts are available here.
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This email is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency's Coronavirus Response and Relief award..
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