Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — Thursday, Albuquerque Business First awarded the New Mexico Minority Business Development Agency Business Center (NM MBDA) one of six Diverse Business Leader Awards for Outstanding Diversity in An Organization. The annual Diverse Business Leader Awards recognize organizations that have committed to a diverse workforce and have programs, initiatives, and resources that advance the promotion of diversity in their workplace.
“The NM MBDA is working to level the playing field for minority-owned businesses in our state,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Continued support for these essential programs is key to creating more opportunities for Albuquerque families and entrepreneurs to succeed.”
The NM MBDA opened in December of 2020, utilizing a $300,000 federal grant the City of Albuquerque’s Economic Development Department (EDD) received from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The NM MBDA has since served nearly 300 minority business enterprises (MBE) with services such as client bid opportunity sourcing, help with certifications and registrations, lending and equity proposal packaging, capital lending access, strategic planning consultation, international trade assistance, and training.
“Our team is incredibly honored to be presented with this award, and we share it with all of the amazing businesses we have had the pleasure of working with over the last three years,” said NM MBDA Director Gabriela Marques. “We look forward to continuing these services for MBEs, and continuing to expand our reach across the state.”
It is anticipated that the NM MBDA will receive a new grant that will allow their team to grow and better serve different areas of New Mexico more effectively. By opening geographically strategic offices, the NM MBDA will be able to better assist small business owners without location limitations, as well as serve the border region where the demand for Spanish language resources is high. Since opening in 2020, the NM MBDA has received nearly $3.5 million in grant funding.
In addition to the Diverse Business Leader Award, the NM MBDA was recently recognized by the International Economic Development Council with an “Excellence in Economic Development” award in the entrepreneurship category. The entrepreneurship award recognizes the programs, policies, and initiatives that nurture and support individuals or emerging small businesses to develop into viable, competitive businesses by providing access to finances, services, experts, networks, mentors, technology, management resources, and fast learning environments.
