Impact Harrisburg recently awarded the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) a $125,000 grant to implement the recommendations in the “City of Harrisburg Disparity Study.”
The study addresses how the city of Harrisburg has very few Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) in its marketplace of vendors to select from when procuring goods and services.
Impact Harrisburg chose the chamber and CREDC because of their experience providing economic resources such as education opportunities, grant distribution, loan applications, and site selections. The organizations also are connected to the region’s resources and businesses.
CREDC will use the funding to address the findings and recommendations in the study; identify and address barriers MBE, WBE and DBE businesses face in the city; build liaisons and working partnerships with the target community and community organizations; coordinate partnerships among organizations performing comparable support and training efforts for MBE, WBE and DBE businesses; and build the capacity of MBE, WBE, and DBE businesses and individuals to launch, develop, and expand businesses within Harrisburg.
“We are proud and excited to work with Impact Harrisburg on their mission to provide all businesses with opportunities to succeed in the City of Harrisburg,” Harrisburg Regional President and CEO Ryan Unger said.