Access America Focuses on Women, Minority Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce will launch a new initiative this evening to foster diversity within existing Chamber programs and bolster minority- and women-owned businesses by tackling traditional barriers to their growth — securing access to capital, forging strategic partnerships, and identifying new opportunities.

"Access America will provide tangible assets to help minority and women business owners succeed," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber president and CEO. "This landmark program will be the catalyst for the nation's fastest growing business sectors to join forces with the U.S. Chamber to the benefit of both."

Minority-owned businesses are growing four times faster than the national average, employ 4.5 million workers, and generate $591 billion in annual revenues, according to the Census Bureau. Women-owned businesses are growing twice as fast as the national average, employ more than 9.2 million workers, and generate annual sales surpassing $1 trillion.

During national forums and discussions sponsored by Access America, women and minority business owners will meet with other CEOs and government and industry decisionmakers who can open doors to networks and capital, and foster strategic alliances and investments. These programs will draw on existing Chamber partnerships and its federation of state and local chambers, major corporations, and civic and trade associations to address the challenges facing minority and women executives.

"The Chamber is uniquely situated to help minority- and women-owned businesses form alliances to compete in the global marketplace," said Reta J. Lewis, director of Access America. "The Chamber has the leverage to bring minority- and women-owned businesses into the dialogue on vital business policy matters, and the ability to coordinate their needs with the Chamber's resources and programs."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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