Town hall to focus on growth opportunities for small, minority-owned businesses

The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry announced Monday a Town Hall that will focus on fostering success for small and minority-owned businesses to be held on Oct. 17 in Harrisburg.

The “Risk and Reward: Minority-Owned Businesses and the Growth Paradox” event will include local and state elected officials, business leaders and agency experts. Participants will highlight the benefits of partnering with small and diverse-owned businesses and explore initiatives to promote the continued growth of these businesses. The event will address a phenomenon referred to as “the Growth Paradox.”

“Business leaders all recognize that the small business owners who make up the majority of employers here in Pennsylvania are the engines of our state’s economy,” PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr said. “As we consider the benefits that these businesses bring to the table, our shared objective must be to find ways to continue fostering their growth.”

The program will include a panel discussion that focuses on how to overcome barriers to future success and growth of minority businesses, characteristics that large companies look for in minority-owned business partners, current and future state initiatives and other programs that foster smaller.

The event is sponsored by AmeriHealth Caritas, a Philadelphia-based healthcare company and a national leader in Medicaid managed care and healthcare solutions for those in need.

“Small, diverse business owners share a lot of the same values that we do here at AmeriHealth Caritas, so it’s imperative that we continue actively encouraging, supporting and celebrating these businesses in our local communities,” AmeriHealth Caritas Executive Vice President of Health Markets Steve Bohner said. “Working in conjunction with state officials and local organizations, together we have advanced our work to propel small businesses forward and drive economic progression. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the PA Chamber and look forward to a productive dialogue with others that share this important goal.”