The Center for Minority Business Development, established through a $5 million grant from The Peterson Companies, aims to enhance the skills and abilities of Prince George’s County’s workforce, encourage greater collaboration between minority and non-minority firms, and address minority business participation gaps in the county.

“Prince George’s Community College has a long history of serving the needs of the community, and establishing the Center for Minority Business Development allows us to offer high quality expertise and technical assistance to minority business owners throughout the county, said Charlene M. Dukes, president of PGCC. “We are committed to expanding minority enterprises not only to ensure their success but also to strengthen our economic capacity,” she added.

The Center for Minority Business Development offers a variety of cutting-edge learning opportunities including the Local Minority Business Enterprise Accelerator Program and the Entrepreneurial Development Program.

The Local Minority Business Enterprise Accelerator Program addresses minority participation gaps within the Prince George's County business community by assisting minority-owned construction firms as they learn the process of gaining greater access to contract opportunities and build their capacity to compete with larger firms. During the program, participants have access to classroom instruction, strategic growth counseling, management and marketing assistance, business plan development assistance, financial profile review and technical assistance.

The Entrepreneurial Development Program offers business owners the opportunity to enhance their entrepreneurial skills in areas ranging from leadership development to business growth strategies. Local entrepreneurs gain access to relevant and pertinent business development resources through online training as well as traditional classroom instruction.

Carl Brown, executive director of the Center for Minority Business Development, said “After completing our program, small and minority businesses can compete on a level playing field.In this economy, small businesses are being crammed out by larger contractors. We are here to assist them as they break down those barriers,” added Brown.

To learn more about the Center for Minority Business Development at Prince George’s Community College visit their Web site at www.cmbd.biz.

Prince George's Community College is a comprehensive, public, post-secondary institution that provides high quality academic instruction, workforce development and continuing education to the citizens of Prince George's County and surrounding areas. The college awards associate degrees, letters of recognition and program certificates. For more information, visit the college Web site at www.pgcc.edu