Arizona based Native business center receives national recognition

Minority Business Development Agency Acknowledges Outstanding Performance


MESA, Ariz. - July 12, 2010 - The Minority Business Development Agency recognized the Arizona Native American Business Enterprise Center (AZNABEC), operated by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (the National Center), with two top awards during the MBDA Summit held last month in Washington, D.C.

The AZNABEC received the “MBDA Recognition of Excellence National Outstanding Performance Award” for the 2009 program year and the “MBDA Recognition of Excellence Award” for their achievement as the program with the highest number of jobs created, both top awards given in recognition of outstanding national achievement providing business development service to the Native American and Minority business communities.

“We are very proud of our partnership with MBDA and proud to accept this award in recognition of our work serving minority businesses and helping them to become more competitive in the marketplace," said AZNABEC Project Director, Joan Notah. "On behalf of our Board of Directors, dedicated staff, sponsors, and clients, we are very grateful to MBDA for this recognition and we look forward to continuing our work with MBDA and the minority business community.”

The AZNABEC is operated through a cooperative agreement with the Minority Business Development Agency and The National Center.  The AZNABEC provides professional business consulting services and technical assistance to Native American and Minority-owned businesses to manage, grow and expand their businesses. Assistance extends to both tribes and individuals living both on and off the reservation and is available for all stages of business from start-up through expansion and includes services such as marketing assistance, loan packaging preparation, procurement assistance, minority certification assistance, and business plan development.

As a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the MBDA is the only federal agency dedicated to advancing the establishment and growth of minority businesses. MBDA has 46 grant funded centers throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  Each year, the MBDA Summit attracts minority business advocates, service/program providers and other stakeholders from across the country to our nation's capital to help assess the effectiveness of programs and strategies available to enhance the abilities and growth of minority businesses and to develop a plan for minority business development.

The National Center was founded in 1969 and is dedicated to developing American Indian economic self-sufficiency through business ownership. NCAIED is California-based 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and is headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, with offices nationwide. For more information about the National Center’s AZNABEC program services and resources, please visit: www.ncaied.org