Minority Programs

Business Link North Carolina's major partners include organizations devoted to assisting minorities and low-wealth communities. Many programs are available to assist you starting your business. Minority resources are abundant and here to help you succeed. Below is a comprehensive list of services, programs and support for your business.

• N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development is a statewide nonprofit organization that seeks to create wealth and build the asset base among low-wealth sectors of the population. Programs include the NC MBDA Business Center, providing finance management and access to capital; strategic business consulting; and procurement opportunities; and the Women's Business Center of North Carolina, which provides tools and services to help women entrepreneurs succeed.

• N.C. Community Development Initiative is dedicated to increasing assets and creating wealth for communities and individuals in low-resource communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Institute has channeled more than $65 million to local Community Development Corporations, resulting in more than $358 million of completed local development projects. Programs include Initiative Capital (loans) and Grants and Technical Assistance.

• N.C. Department of Administration's Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses HUB advocates for minority, women and disabled-owned businesses in their efforts to conduct business with the State.

Other statewide not-for-profit programs that assist minorities include:

• N.C. Minority Support Center assists with funding available through Community Development Credit Unions.

• CEED, Center for Economic Empowerment and Development was created by the Women's Center of Fayetteville to enhance entrepreneurs' business skills.

American Indian/Native American Programs

• American Indian Chamber of Commerce of North Carolina. The chamber seeks to give existing American Indian businesses and new entrepreneurs a better chance of success by providing them with access to intra-member counseling, information sharing opportunities, and more awareness of other business development programs.

• N.C. Department of Administration's Commission of Indian Affairs works with a variety of issues, including economic development.

• N.C. Indian Economic Development Initiative provides economic development and business support for N.C. Indians, Indian-owned business and N.C. federal and state tribes and tribal organizations.

Hispanic Programs

• N.C. Hispanic Chamber of Commere advocates, promotes and facilitates the success of Hispanic businesses in collaboration with the Business Community at large.

International Programs

• N.C. Department of Commerce's International Trade Division provides specialists to help you take advantage of the many opportunities available in our ever-expanding global economy.