U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Deputy Administrator Fred Hochberg will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Wednesday, June 21, with the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The MOU is intended to increase the participation of lesbian- and gay-owned small businesses in SBA’s capital-access, contract procurement and technical assistance programs. A MOU will also be signed with the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Community Centers.
Under the agreement, SBA will work closely with the two groups to disseminate information about SBA’s small business assistance programs and services to gay small business owners.
‘”The Small Business Administration is absolutely committed to the idea that every citizen deserves an opportunity for full participation in the American dream,” said Deputy Administrator Hochberg, who is gay. “This agreement will help us get this message out to the gay and lesbian community that the tools SBA offers are available to anyone with the creativity and determination to use them to build a business.”
As part of the agreement, SBA District Offices and the gay and lesbian organizations will conduct “Meet-the-Lender” forums, orientation sessions on SBA interactive assistance for small businesses, and workshops on the many loan and government contract procurement programs and services available.
“SBA’s job is helping people start and grow businesses to provide jobs, shore up neighborhoods and stabilize communities,” the Deputy Administrator said. “That goes for every community.”
The agreement will be signed on June 21 at a 1: p.m. news conference at Ann Sather Restaurant, 929 W. Belmont in Chicago. Signing on behalf of the Chamber will be Kevin Boyer and Tracy Baim, local business owners who were the co-founding Board Co-Chairs of the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber.
The Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization representing the interests of the region’s lesbian and gay business community. With more than 375 lesbian- and gay-owned and supportive businesses, The Chamber has grown from its founding in 1996 to become the largest lesbigay business group in Chicagoland, and one of the fastest growing business groups—gay or straight. See www.glchamber.org, email or call 1-888-GLCHAMBER.
For information about SBA’s programs, call the SBA Illinois District Office at (312) 353-4528 or visit www.sba.gov.