Tampa Bay: Minority Business Friendly? TAMPA (WUSF) - The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce has been in existence since 1885 and chamber officials say diversity in membership is growing. But for some, that perception isn't a reality.

EVANS: There aren't many blacks in the chamber that are doing business and doing business effectively.

That's James Evans, executive director of the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope - a non profit which mentors inner city kids. Evans is a former Tampa chamber member and he believes minority owned small businesses struggle in the group.

EVANS: There's no support - if it is it's minimum. They're not encouraged at all by membership. I my self had a membership. You know - I went to a couple of functions and had no relationship with anyone in the chamber - just a number.

Gloria Anthony is with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce:

ANTHONY: In this market area we tend not to have sustained African American owned and operated chambers. Do I think that that is a huge market void...most definitely.

Over the years African American Chambers of Commerce were established in Hillsborough and Pinellas county - but they have faded away or merged into larger chambers in the area.

The only one that remains is the Sarasota African American Chamber.

Cultural differences are also part of the problem.

Kimi Springsteen - Hillsborough County's Asian American Liaison says when it comes to joining local chambers of commerce the language barrier is a challenge for some Asian American business owners.

SPRINGSTEEN: Well they probably shy away from government and a big chamber - that's just beyond them.

Springsteen was once the head of the now defunct Asian American Chamber of Commerce. The variety of languages in the Asian community is one reason their once robust chamber folded.

She says Asians Americans often have associations for similar businesses which assist each other.

Some Latino-owned businesses in Tampa Bay have counted on their own chamber of commerce. Jackie Rojas Quinones is President of the group.

ROJAS: "We deal more with the small businesses. The Greater Tampa Chamber deals more with corporate. Corporate relocation, transit - big items.

She says often the mission of area chambers is beautification for their neighborhoods. Participation in chambers of commerce take time and dedication. Most are volunteer organizations which depend heavily on the input of their members to keep strong.

In Pinellas county, a Business Assistance Partnership has developed to assist small business owners. Dr. Cynthia Johnson is with the Pinellas Economic Development office.

JOHNSON: What we do is have the chamber, the county and their respective city contribute to hiring a business specialist who actually goes out, knocks on doors, and finds out what the business need is. Because we understand that small business owners may not necessarily have the time to go out and find assistance so we go to them.

There is also help for small business people from the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Vicki Vega manages Small business and special projects,

VEGA: We have weekly counseling sessions available for people who would like to start a business or who would like to improve upon or develop their business plan

The Greater Tampa chamber has assistance as well, according to Gloria Anthony:

ANTHONY: We have a minority business consortium which is kind of like a committee here - it is probably not as strong as we would like for it to be.

Local colleges and universities offer small businesses, assistance as well. The Small Business Administration is also a valuable resource.

Each person we spoke with emphasized the importance of networking for small business owners. Minority business directories are also a marketing tool that's being used. The Hispanic Chamber will publish one this month. James Evans is developing an African American Business directory in Hillsborough county which will be released next year.

Through out out the Tampa bay area there are a variety of chambers of commerce serving various needs but according to the Hispanic Chamber's Jackie Rojas- Quinones.

ROJAS:There's not one chamber that can capture and do everything. So if we can break it down and partner together on different things...that's how we can do it.

Valerie Ingram WUSF 89.7 News


For more information:

Tampa Bay Black Business Directory -
www.tampabayblackbusiness.com

Pinellas Economic Development Office -
www.sliconbay.org

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce -
www.tampachamber.org

Tampa Bay Hispanic Chamber of Commerce -
www.tampahispanicchamber.com

Small Business Administration -
www.sba.gov/fl/south

Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce -
www.sarasotachamber.org

USF Small Business Development Center -
www.sbdc.usf.edu

St. Pete College Business Smart -
www.spcollege.edu/BusinessSmart/

Kimi Springsteen - Asian American Affairs Liaison, Hillsborough County
springsteenk@hillsboroughcounty.org

Dr. Jerome Dupree- Sarasota African American Chamber of Commerce. kmbc409@aol.com © Copyright 2012, WUSF