Small And Minority Businesses A Priority

With a view toward promoting small and minority business development and encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit in the county, the Department of Economic Development has enhanced the program that provides such businesses with a single point of contact for assistance with issues of concern to them.

Steven C. Wright will head up the new program as project manager. Wright comes to Chesterfield County from Ferguson Enterprises, having also worked with the Chesapeake Economic Development Department for several years. He is familiar with the area, having received his bachelor’s degree in urban studies and planning from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1991.

“The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors believed that while the county is active in assisting large industry, more could be done to help small and minority business,” Wright said. “Chesterfield County welcomes and wants to aid all businesses, but limited staff resources hampered the effort with small and minority businesses. With this new program, we will be better able to address the issues, from inception through development, that are important to this particular segment of our business community.”

The new program will facilitate workshops on topics such as business startups, business plan development and access to capital. Business counseling will be offered and the program will focus on small and minority businesses.

“In keeping with the overall economic development plan for the county,” said Jim Dunn, Economic Development director, “the services included in this program will lead to the creation and enhancement of small and minority businesses and increased employment opportunities.”

For more information, contact the Chesterfield County Department of Economic Development at 748-3963.