FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced the State of Ohio will team with the Akron Urban League and the Greater Cincinnati African-American Chamber of Commerce to expand Ohio's support of the minority business community. In partnership with the Ohio Department of Development's Minority Business Enterprise Division, the Urban League and the Chamber will facilitate training, strategic management, networking, and mentoring opportunities with major corporations, and work to ensure minority businesses in Ohio have access to the assistance needed to be productive and profitable. The Department released a request for proposal in January seeking applications from organizations to expand their partnership with the State to support Ohio’s African-American businesses.

"The Akron Urban League and the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce are already outstanding partners with the State of Ohio, helping to expand opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs in the urban core and increasing awareness of the many contributions minority businesses make to Ohio," said Fisher, who also serves as the Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Their expertise will complement the work of our Minority Business Enterprise Division and their partnership is critical to the development of direct and inclusive services that will broaden economic opportunities for Ohio's minority business community."

The Akron Urban League and the Greater Cincinnati Area Chamber of Commerce will each receive $150,000 in grant funding for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009 to provide oversight and staff assistance for activities related to networking with all levels of government and private businesses; aiding in the economic growth and development of minority and disadvantaged businesses; and increasing awareness of local, state and federal business assistance resources. The organizations will also work closely with the Department to market the products and services of the Minority Business Enterprise Division to its membership and the community.

"The Minority Business Enterprise Division is excited and looking forward to a beneficial partnership with the Akron Urban League and The Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce. Both organizations bring tremendous expertise to addressing the plight of minority, female, and small businesses here in Ohio," said Phillip Shotwell, Director of the Minority Business Enterprise Division. "Our partnership will help our Division with outreach efforts and aid in assisting businesses in the areas of marketing, networking, procurement opportunities, and access to major corporations."

The Akron Urban League is a non-profit social service agency, National Urban League affiliate, and United Way affiliate, that seeks to improve the economic, cultural, social, educational, and recreational conditions affecting all citizens of Summit County, particularly African Americans, other minorities, and those most in need. The Akron Urban League submitted its proposal in collaboration with the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. The Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce works to establish, cultivate, and strengthen consumer and business relationships; provide its members access to major corporate markets to increase business opportunities; and assist in developing strategic partnerships and alliances to strengthen and grow the business community.

The Ohio Department of Development's Minority Business Enterprise Division works to create a business environment in Ohio that assists in the growth and development of minority-owned firms, which are defined as being at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one of the following ethnicities: African-American, Hispanic, Native American and Asian.

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Media contacts: Melissa Vince at (614) 466-6619 or Kelly Schlissberg at (614) 466-4133