U.S. Minority Business Development Agency and Port of Seattle Announce New Collaboration to Expand Minority Businesses
SEATTLE, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Thursday, May 16, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Eric Morrissette traveled to Seattle to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). and the Port of Seattle.
The MOU between MBDA and the Port of Seattle calls for collaboration in public outreach and educational outreach, identification of areas of overlap between both entities to promote global competitiveness for minority business enterprises, and facilitation between them to provide opportunities for engagement and partnership for MBDA with Port Initiatives.
“We look forward to working closely with the Port of Seattle to identify aviation and port industry opportunities, support outreach efforts and leverage our network of business centers,” he said. Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Eric Morrissette. “At MBDA, we are confident that this collaboration will strengthen the country’s airports, ports and waterways and, most importantly, give all companies the opportunity to reach their potential.”
The Port’s “Diversity in Contracting” initiative works to level the playing field for socially and economically disadvantaged companies that are impacted by disparities that have been institutionalized in port practices and policies. Through this initiative, they offer training and development to help companies looking to do business with Porto with diversity in hiring.
“This MOU is a major milestone for the Port of Seattle and the Minority Business Development Agency under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Commerce. I am immensely proud of this MOU because we are establishing a unique partnership and leveraging our best-in-class outreach assets to elevate business opportunities throughout the Puget Sound region,” he said. Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho. “Additionally, we are ensuring we establish a collaborative approach based on our respective engagement expertise and better positioning ourselves to provide companies of all types with additional tools to expand their growth.”
Through the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the Biden-Harris Administration is investing more than $40 billion in airports, ports and waterways, which are centers of economic growth and opportunity, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
“As someone who has long advocated for the growth of minority-owned businesses, I am delighted to see this new partnership between the Minority Business Development Agency and the Port of Seattle,” said Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA 6th District). “This memorandum of understanding is a positive step towards ensuring that people from all backgrounds have opportunities to grow and compete globally, while contributing to our regional economy. By creating more economic opportunities, promoting inclusion and increasing awareness of available resources, we are building a more vibrant economy in Washington State.”
This MOU signing is part of a larger visit to the Seattle area by MBDA Acting Deputy Secretary Morrissette, who participated in a roundtable discussion with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), visited Seattle Capital Readiness Program awardee (CRP), Ventures, and met with Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell to discuss the impact access to capital has had on the community and local businesses.
About the U.S. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA):
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency is the only federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority business enterprises (MBEs). For more than 50 years, MBDA’s programs and services have better equipped MBEs to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues and expand regionally, nationally and internationally.
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CONTACT: Gabriel Cushing Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) mbdapublicaffairs@mbda.gov
