2010 Archive

FOR IMMEDIATLE RELEASE Apr 23, 2010	Contact: Lance Jones (202) 596-1693 ljones@cbcfinc.org
CBC Foundation Hosts Economic Recovery Forum Indianapolis Forum Advises and Educate Small Business Owners

WASHINGTON – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) hosted an economic recovery forum which offered a local view of the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on Indiana residents, particularly those in the Indianapolis area. The forum focused on identifying important resources that can assist small business owners to strengthen and grow their businesses in the current economic climate. The forum also addressed opportunities for job training, job creation and assistance for small businesses in Indianapolis. The event, offered at no cost and open to the general public, took place at the IUPUI University Place Conference Center & Hotel, located in downtown Indianapolis.

 

CBCF’s economic recovery forum also addressed Indiana’s high unemployment and potential remedies to help lower the numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall unemployment rate for the Indianapolis metropolitan area has risen from 8.2% in February 2009 to 9.4% in February 2010. From October 2009 to January 2010 the African-American unemployment rate rose from 15.5 percent to 16.5 percent. Over that same time period, white unemployment decreased from 9.4 percent to 8.7 percent.

 

“Even as the economy begins to show positive signs of a turnaround, many federal and state level funding opportunities continue to exist for individuals and small businesses,” said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of the CBCF. “Our economic recovery forum in Indianapolis aimed to outfit residents with correct and relevant information on how to take advantage.”

 

Attendees include Rep. Andre Carson of Indianapolis; The Honorable William A. Crawford; Eric Dobyne, Chicago regional director, Minority Business Development Agency; Marianne Markowitz, regional administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration; Dr. Mark Sniderman, executive vice president and chief policy officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Indianapolis; John R. Hall, Indianapolis field director, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Ronald Dorson, president, Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce; along with other federal, state and local government officials, community representatives and residents of the Indianapolis area to discuss employment, small business, and community development initiatives that will help improve the economic opportunities of district residents.

In addition, CBCF has published the ARRA Resource Guide for African Americans. The guide is available for download as a PDF at www.cbcfinc.org/newsroom/press-room.html.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc. was established in 1976 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and education institute to help improve the socioeconomic circumstances of African Americans and other underserved communities.