Tampa, Fla. – In late 2021, The Tampa Bay Chamber received notice that they would receive grants in 2022 from the Florida Business Development Corporation (FBDC), The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and The Truist Foundation in support of the Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) program. The Minority Business Accelerator is a program of the Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation designed to help Black and Hispanic businesses prepare for growth. The MBA helps these businesses identify and overcome barriers, which often include limited access to capital, key decision makers, and information. By providing practical tools for change, program participants are positioned to increase capacity, create jobs and build wealth. Thus, creating a diverse and inclusive business community and acting as a catalyst to drive positive economic impact in Tampa and Hillsborough County, Florida.
The Florida Business Development Corporation (FBDC) has been dedicated to the success of small businesses in Florida since 1989. As the most active Small Business Administration’s 504 Loan program lender in the east coast of the United States, FBDC excels at assisting healthy, growing companies secure long-term, below-market, fixed-rate financing for the acquisition and development of fixed assets.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation provided their grant to the Chamber to increase the organization’s capacity to proactively, quickly, and thoroughly mentor, support, and help to accelerate minority businesses using research, pro-business solutions, mentorship, and advocacy.
The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life.
When the Minority Business Accelerator program was launched in 2018 it started with the Founding Sponsors and Community Partners in the community that supported the launch of the program. The Founding Sponsors and Community Partners below have continued to support the program into its fifth year in the community.
Founding Sponsors for the Minority Business Accelerator:
Tampa General Hospital
TECO
Valley National Bank
Vinik Family Foundation
Community Partners for the Minority Business Accelerator:
Citi Bank
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida
Grow Financial
Suncoast Credit Union
“We are honored that the Florida Business Development Corporation, The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Truist Foundation, as well as all of our Founding Sponsors and Community Partners, continue to see the benefit in our Minority Business Accelerator program and are interested in helping to further support the program. The Minority Business Accelerator has made such a positive impact on the minority business community in the five years since it launched. As we work to grow and expand the MBA program, the support of organizations like our sponsors and grant funders will be vital to ensuring its continued success,” said Bob Rohrlack, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Chamber.