Earlier this year, the City of Tacoma was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to support the operation of a Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center. The MBDA helps minority-owned businesses by facilitating access to capital, contracts and export opportunities. The MBDA business center at the City of Tacoma is part of a national network of funded centers located in major cities throughout the United States, and is now fully operational and ready to serve the minority-owned business community.

“MBDA business centers have a proven track record of helping minority-owned firms gain access to capital and contracts, helping them create and retain jobs,” said Mayor Marilyn Strickland.  “I’m excited to have the MBDA business center open and operational right here in Tacoma, and I strongly encourage all minority-owned firms in the area to take advantage of these unique services to help them expand throughout the region or even on a national scale.”

The MBDA business center at the City of Tacoma is hosting an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Council Chambers of the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., 1st Floor). Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the business center staff and learn more about the variety of services available.

On the web: www.mbda.gov/businesscenters/tacoma.

– City of Tacoma