- Press Release -

The Capitol Region Black Chamber of Commerce and Robert Burgess, Executive Director, of Norwalk Economic Opportunities Now, Inc., will host a press conference on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 announcing several key components surrounding the launch of the Capitol Region Black Chamber of Commerce small business and faith-based domestic initiatives in Connecticut and selected cities nationwide. The press conference is centered around the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Partnering with Pros Foundation, Inc. The historic announcement will be in preparation for the launch of CRBCC's 6-city small business and faith-based urban economic development initiative scheduled for April 7, 2003.

The launch will be preceded by a workshop series in March 2003 designed to provide technical assistance, financing (access-to-capital) and other resources to assist small businesses, faith-based and community non-profit agencies. This will allow attendees and concerned business community members to position themselves to take full advantage of President George W. Bush's small business and faith-based agenda.

On Thursday, January 30, 2003 an overview of the upcoming workshop series will be presented by Gregory G. French, an economic development consultant and director of Partnering with Pros Foundation, Inc. at the CRBCC "Power Breakfast" meeting in Hartford, CT. In an effort to ensure appropriate and effective outreach, along with significant participation in the target cities designated for the 6-city initiative, the Capitol Region Black Chamber of Commerce will make key announcements at the press conference:

1. The establishment of two new CRBCC branches, one in Norwalk representing Fairfield County, and one in New Haven representing New Haven County. Each branch president is trained and fully capable to provide effective leadership in the implementation of the urban development strategy consistent with the overall 6-city initiatives and guidelines designated for each targeted city in their respective counties.

2. The creation of a communication partnership consisting of CRBCC, The Kente Group, public relations firm, Eagle Press with distribution throughout Southern Connecticut, and the Inquirer News Group with distribution throughout Northern, and Central Connecticut. The partnership will insure effective dissemination of information to grassroots organizations in the targeted markets throughout Northern, Central and Southern Connecticut.

3. The introduction of CRBCC's "eBiz Community" platform designed to integrate businesses, education institutions, faith-based and community non-profits, financial institutions, and workforce development agencies and investment boards seamlessly into the development process.

4. The CRBCC's workshop series model for collaborative partnerships from other cities nationwide via Partnering with Pros Foundation, Inc., which includes Los Angeles, St. Louis, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Miami and San Diego to name a few.

Event Contact:

Ron Dunson
Capitol Region Black Chamber of Commerce
Mailing:
P.O. Box 300, Hartford, CT 06141

Shipping:
116 Cottage Grove Rd, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Bus: (860) 286-8100 Fax: (877) 268-8075
email: rdunson@crbcc.com website: http://www.crbcc.com

Bush Administration Agenda:

http://www.crbcc.com/html/november2002.html