Joint Partnerships

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is the only federal agency solely dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises. MBDA programs, services, and initiatives focus on helping MBEs grow today, while preparing them to meet the industry needs of tomorrow. MBDA invests in a national network of MBDA Business Centers, Specialty Centers, and Grantees. The Office of Economic Impact and MBDA share an interest in promoting data driven policies that increase access to opportunities for diverse business throughout the energy supply chain. Through our partnership we intend to share and leverage resources for the benefit of MBEs to result in improved access to industries and sub sectors within the energy sector; by building awareness, capacity, and by creating pathways to opportunities to supply chain stakeholders.

Our offices work collaboratively to drive more equitable participation of MBEs in the energy sector, create a sustainable model that identifies diverse stakeholders to address challenges and opportunities for underrepresented MBEs to increase the growth and impact, engage and develop underrepresented MBEs in national energy supply chains and related high growth industries, develop and grow MBEs through data driven initiatives and capacity building to improve the participation of minorities in the energy sector, utilize data sharing and reporting tools to increase the effective engagement with MBEs and to facilitate MBEs’ access to resources.

MBDA programs offer customized business development and industry-focused services to provide greater access to capital, contracts, and markets. Their programs include:

Financial Assistance Awards

Pathways United, LLC
The Economic Impact and Diversity Program 
Technical Assistance for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) 
SBIR and STTR Programs for the US Department of Energy
DE-ED0000751

Purpose:
To ensure that MBEs can participate in the U.S. Department of Energy projects and initiatives. The technical assistance proposed in the project is supercharged support to ensure capacity building in research, development, demonstration, application submission and other activities within the U.S. Department of Energy. The project promotes economic development in the region’s most underserved community, Saint Louis, Missouri. Economic Impact & Diversity Program builds a more diverse and inclusive Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) energy industry. 

National Associate for State and Energy Officials (NASEO)
Increasing Energy Sector Economic Opportunity Through 
Data Driven State Policymaker Engagement
DE-ED0000754

Purpose:
The “Increasing Energy Sector Economic Opportunity through Data-Driven State Policymaker Engagement” project has one overarching goal: to equip state energy policymakers with data and analysis that would enable them to advance policies and forge partnerships that improve underrepresented minorities’ access and inclusion in the energy economy. Final report will include tailored recommendations and descriptions of resources available to State Energy Offices, Minority-Serving Institutions, and MBEs to participate and grow the energy sector workforce and economy and to contribute to the Justice 40 goals.