Congressman Cohen Expresses Disappointment at Closure of the Minority Business Development Center

MEMPHIS - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) released the following statement after learning that the Trump Commerce Department cut funding to the Minority Business Development Center, causing it to shut down after 13 years:

"Trump's Commerce Department cut off funding for the Tennessee Minority Business Development Center in Memphis, forcing it to close after 13 years of helping small, local businesses. This typically short-sighted decision will have adverse impacts in our business community. I helped open the center in 2012 to give Black and minority entrepreneurs in Memphis a voice. Trump and the GOP have now silenced that voice."

Congressman Cohen was instrumental in bringing the state's first Minority Business Development Center to Memphis, working for three years to secure its establishment and joining federal and local leaders for the ribbon cutting in July 2012. At that opening, Minority Business Development Agency Director David Hinson praised Congressman Cohen for being "persistent, persuasive and professional" in making the center a reality. Click hereto read more.

Centers like the MBDC are part of the U.S. Department of Commerce created specifically to foster the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in America. The primary drivers of the center program were job creation and retention and the award of procurement contracts to minority business enterprises.

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