Bush Official Champions Minority Business
|
Posted On: Tuesday February 3rd, 2004 at 12:00am EST
|
Ronald Langston, the national director appointed by President Bush to head
up the Minority Business Development Agency in 2001, has come to Hawaii
with a message: His boss wants to see more minority-owned businesses across
the country.
Government statistics show that while minority-owned businesses experienced
substantial growth between 1992 and 1997, they still lag in generating
gross receipts and employment. Yet, the U.S. Census Bureau projects that 90
percent of the net U.S. population growth over the next 50 years will be
among ethnic minorities.
With a $29 million departmental budget, Langston's is job to figure out
ways to redress that imbalance and foster business growth in minority
communities.
Part of Langston's plan this last week while visiting Honolulu has been to
network with state, city and county officials and members of Hawaii's
Congressional delegation. He hopes that by getting to know about his agency
and the programs he envisions, officials here will want to partner on
various ventures.
"Based on the business case we make, we hope they'll help us, either in
kind or through direct support, to expand," he said. Langston also plans to
meet with Native Hawaiian groups to find out about their specific needs.
"I'm here to listen, learn and put together a plan," he said.
Langston did not come empty-handed. On Thursday, he presented a check for
$1.25 million to Waipahu Community Association for a job training center
and business incubator, which he said should create 240 jobs in the first
two years.
Right now Honolulu has one small business development center downtown on
Bishop Street, which opened in February 2002. It is funded by the agency on
a contract basis. With a staff of four including its director, Jean
Williams, the center's mission is to provide management and technical
assistance on a hands-on basis, Williams said.
"If you have a business idea, we'll help you to explore that. We would
write a business plan and do financial projections to determine
feasibility," she said.
Langston said he would like to see more such centers around the state. He's
also talking about the possibility of an entrepreneurial boot camp on
access to venture capital.
He's hoping his visit here will given people a sense of who he is and what
his department wants to accomplish.
"People do business with people they know," he said. "With this visit,
we're showing our commitment here." |
SOURCES
By Lyn Danninger ldanninger@starbulletin.com
|
|
|