Minority Business Assistance Center July 21, 2020 | Issue 65

News and Updates

"Diversity and social justice: related, not redundant..." by President Stephanie Hightower An op-ed published in the Columbus Dispatch CLICK HERE TO READ

Surviving COVID-19... Never in a hundred years would we have ever thought that we would be experiencing such an unprecedented situation that we have today. Dealing with short periods of time to re-think our entire business was hardship in itself not to mention the financial blows that followed. Thanks to the Columbus MBAC, I was able to stay informed with the many changes that were taking place. The personal reach outs were very much appreciated and it took away a level of anxiety that we were all experiencing, not knowing what was next to come. Chef Butcher's Creole Kitchen was able to secure funding through the PPP loan program through our financial partner, PNC Bank. With these funds we were able to maintain half of our staff and rehire employees that were let go. We have learned to pivot our business for the safety of our staff and customers. We are doing exceptionally well with our carryout services, sales have increased since mid-May and is showing steady growth. Without any type of relief funding this would not be possible. So, from my team and myself, we are grateful; and a big “thank you.” Antoinette Parks, CEO Chef Butcher's Creole Kitchen, LLC 1052 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203  www.creolekitchen.biz

FREE PPE KITS and MASKS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR BUSINESS! Wednesday - Friday, July 22-24th, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Huntington Empowerment Center 780 Mt. Vernon Avenue Columbus, OH Register for your appointment While quantities last! Thank you to our sponsors... Jobs Ohio Lowe's Ohio Department of Health

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Action Alert! State Proposes Rescissions to the Minority Set-Aside Review Board

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Upcoming Events

We Rise Virtual Meeting Update Join 1000 Black Businesswomen Shaping Change: "Our COVID-19 Stories Matter" POSTPONED. NEW DATE TO FOLLOW

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Join us on July 22 at 2PM EST | 11AM PST for a free live webinar, How to Future-Proof Your Business and Prepare for the New ‘Normal’ , presented by Salesforce and Entrepreneur. We’ll cover the areas businesses need to think about as they reimagine operations—everything from how to communicate and deepen relationships with customers to planning for customer safety to ensuring supply chain success and more. We’ll help small and midsize businesses anticipate expectations going forward and understand the tools and resources they’ll need to future-proof their business.

Westerville Procurement Opportunities - Requesting Qualifications for 2021 - 2023 Engineering Services The City of Westerville has recently issued a Request for Supplier Qualifications (RFSQ) to (1) inform the private sector of a potential business opportunity to provide the City with Consultant Design and Engineering Services for public improvements in the below categories and (2) identify a listing of qualified consultants for the delivery of such services to be undertaken in 2021 thru 2023. Project Categories : • Utility Infrastructure • Mobility Improvements • Traffic Engineering • Bridge Maintenance • Park Master Planning / Design • General Services and Professional Consultation. We welcome your participation in the City's process and encourage you to Click Here to Visit the City’s Bonfire Procurement Portal and Learn More . or contact the City's Procurement Coordinator at Thomas.Patterson@westerville.org if you have any questions.

Funding Opportunities

Ohio PPE Retooling and Reshoring Grant Program to Help Produce New PPE Solutions. Apply now!  CLICK HERE

Ohio Micro-Enterprise Grant Program for MBE and Women-Owned EDGE Small Businesses. Apply now! CLICK HERE

The Columbus-Franklin County COVID-19 Small Business Response and Recovery Fund Small Business Recovery Grant Program (Reopening soon for Round 2) Maximum grant award is $10,000. For info , CLICK HERE : Small Business Return Safely (Personal Protective Equipment) Grants GRANTS to assist existing small businesses in securing PPEs and/or making necessary COVID-19 health/safety improvements required to re-open their businesses. This is a 1:1 grant match program with a maximum matching grant of $5000. For info , CLICK HERE :  Franklin County Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Franklin County Quick Strike Loan Fund for Small Businesses – Economic and Community Development Institute For info ,  CLICK HERE Franklin County – KIVA Microloans KIVA: Small Business Development Center at Columbus State Community College Kiva is a character-based, community-backed lender providing funding opportunities for entrepreneurs who do not fit into the box of traditional conventional financing. Kiva loans are 0% interest, up to $10,000. For info, CLICK HERE Franklin County COVID-19 Business Technical Assistance Franklin County Quick Strike Fund for Minority and Women-owned Small Businesses – Columbus Urban League’s Resiliency Focus Project (“RFP”) Provide clients with access to counseling; technical assistance and information regarding available financial products specifically targeted for small businesses owned by minorities and small businesses. For assistance or information on this program please call Melinda Carter (614) 736-9255 or  mcarter@cul.org  or visit  https://www.cul.org/mbac/ .

RESOURCES

Now you can watch The MBAC Channel webinars on demand! MBAC Executive Series with Keith Stevens: "Best Practices for Beating COVID-19" ODOT DBE Certification Academy How to Get Certified with the City of Columbus MBE/EDGE Certification Academy The Business of the Nonprofit The Minority Business Resiliency Initiative MBAC Executive Series with Donna James: "Emerging from Crisis to Opportunity: What's Next?" LASC presents "Understanding Unemployment During COVID-19" MBAC Executive Series with Dr. Iris Cooper: "Women: Taking Care of Business and Yourself!"

CLICK HERE

Nonprofit Corner...

Join BBB in Partnership with Small Biz Cares for the First Nonprofit Appreciation Week!   July 19 - July 25 is Nonprofit Appreciation Week! This week aims to shine a light on Central Ohio nonprofits through virtual events and awareness. To learn more about the valuable work nonprofits are doing in Central Ohio and how you can support them, attend the virtual panel discussions highlighting a special topic each day:  Aug. 20 at 11 a.m.: Health and Human Services Panel  Aug 21 at 11 a.m.: Arts, Culture & Community Aug 22 at 11 a.m.: Education & Employment Aug 23 at 11 a.m.: Animals & Environment Aug 24 at 11 a.m.: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion For more information on how to attend:

CLICK HERE

Minority Business Assistance Center, Columbus | www.cul.org/mbac Hosted by The Columbus Urban League Kimberly Gayle, MBAC Director mbac@cul.org