TWO PROPOSALSThe Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga plan to offer two minority business programs Tuesday to the City Council. The proposals are:Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce (Minority-Business Program)• Create a board of directors for the program.• Hold classes to help companies achieve certification as minority-owned businesses, as well as classes in mentoring and leadership development.• Serve as a repository to transmit requests for proposals to minority-owned businesses.• Launch a new major event to promote successful minority-owned businesses.Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (Entrepreneurship Center)• Hold classes on understanding business and how to get access to startup capital.• Work with other groups to find startup capital for minority-owned busineses.• Offer mentoring and networking for minority businesses.• Host joint public forums with the Chattanooga Chamber Area of Commerce to help with networking.Source: Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
Two Chattanooga organizations vying for $75,000 in city money to promote minority-owned businesses are in the middle of drafting their proposals.
The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga will present their plans to the City Council on Tuesday night.
But one thing both entities are saying is they do not view themselves in competition.
“We certainly have no desire to compete with the Urban League,” said J.Ed Marston, the Chamber’s spokesman.