Minority-Owned Businesses Get New Resource Center

Creating more job opportunities will be the goal of a new Inland Empire business center that's being funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The Minority Business Development Agency Business Center will officially open in January, with a five-member staff, in the 6800 block of Airport Drive in Riverside.

The facility will serve the entire inland region, providing resources that support the acquisition and expansion of minority-owned ventures.

Business-minded minorities living in Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and surrounding areas can utilize the center for assistance accessing capital, forming joint ventures and expanding operations. There will be special programs that help establish businesses in high-growth sectors such as renewable energy and healthcare.

According to the latest census data, those who identify as "White Alone" and "Not Hispanic or Latino" number 19,604 or 37.8 percent of Lake Elsinore's population. In Wildomar, 17,255 residents or 53.6 percent of the city's total population identify as “White Alone” and "Not Hispanic or Latino," according to the latest census figures.

The business center will focus on creating growth, according to proponents.

"The Inland Empire welcomes this business center because our greatest need is jobs, jobs, jobs,'' said Marylou Morales, a retired educator and member of the board of directors for SoCal Corporate Growth Partners, the nonprofit that obtained the government grant.

"The economic slide we have experienced has put the brakes on the vibrant growth we were enjoying,'' she said. "SCCGP will help us get going again through the various services they provide.''

Last month, the Commerce Department's Minority Business Development Agency announced that SCCGP will be one of three nationwide recipients of a $4.3 million, five-year grant to establish and operate a business center.

The Riverside portion of the grant comes to about $1.77 million.

The city of Riverside, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership and Los Angeles-based Hana Financial Inc. are partners in the business center. Talks are under way with Riverside and San Bernardino counties to join the enterprise.

More information is available at http://www.sccgp.org/. --City News Service and Toni McAllister contributed to this report.