Chamber announces Minority Business Accelerator program

Published 7:45 am Wednesday, October 19, 2022

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On Oct. 11, 2022, the LaGrange Troup County Chamber of Commerce announced the implementation of its Minority Business Accelerator Program. According to a chamber press release, the Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) program was born from the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee to advance equity amongst local minority-owned businesses in Troup County.

In its inaugural year, a small cohort of businesses will be selected through an application process. Ideal applicants would have been in business between three months and five years, be a for-profit business, have less than 30 employees, and be willing and available to participate in all required events. 

According to the press release, nationally, 20% of small businesses fail within the 1st year of opening and after 5 years, that number jumps to 55%. Minority-owned small businesses have an even higher failure rate. The purpose of the MBA program is to help small businesses in Troup County identify and overcome barriers so that they do not become one of these statistics. 

“Our goal is to help accelerate the development of high potential minority business enterprises and to strengthen and expand the regional minority entrepreneurial community,” said Jamey Jackson, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce.  “I’m so very excited for this announcement and to show our community the power of our Chamber.”

“As the DE&I Committee Chair for the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce, I’m excited to see this program begin. Children learn who they can potentially be by observing others, especially those to whom they have a particular affinity. Minority business owners provide that spark of inspiration towards entrepreneurship for future generations,” said Chalton Askew. “By helping minority businesses with additional support during the tougher startup phase helps ensure their long-term success. This changes all of us, even our entire community.”

The program will be open to both current Chamber members and non-members and will consist of four educational sessions, networking opportunities at various Chamber events, access to one-on-one sessions with small business coaches, a complimentary Chamber membership, and a marketing package. The four educational sessions will be focused on topics such as money and metrics, growth opportunities, people, and marketing and sales. 

“I am incredibly proud of our board and partners for making this program possible,” said Connie Hensler, President of the LaGrange Troup County Chamber of Commerce. “I look forward to working with the participants as they navigate their businesses to continued success. Small businesses are, and will continue to be, the heart of our Chamber and community.”

Applications have opened for the 2023 cohort and will close on Nov. 30. Visit https://www.lagrangechamber.com/minority-business-accelerator/ to apply.