Minority Business Owners Fear Loss of Fair Share Program

This is the 13th year for the Minority Business Council opportunity expo. It`s a chance for local companies to showcase their services and make contacts within the community. "It`s a good networking source. It just opens up different avenues for you to see how far you can go," small business owner Connie Reynolds. Being a member of the M-B-C allows opportunities that wouldn`t otherwise be available for some companies. "It has helped us establish ourselves as well as other businesses. It has also provided an asset for other businesses to com in that may have been a little nervous about doing so to realize that they do have something in house they can use to help them get established," said Calvin Beales. Beales owns B & B Rental and Sales. The traffic sign company has been open for more than a year. And like many of the companies participating in the expo B & B also relies on Shreveport`s Fair Share program to help stay afloat. "It is a very beneficial program. It has been instrumental in everything that we`ve done and I`m sure a lot of other businesses in Shreveport as well, said Beales. The Fair Share Program allows disadvantaged small businesses the opportunity to do business with the city of shreveport. It also helps align them with programs and grants to help their business succeed. Rebecca Blackwell owns an interior decorating business. She hopes to participate in the Fair Share Program but is worried that soon it might not be an option. "If I don`t get a chance to get into the Fair Share Program... When we get a new mayor... hopefully by that time something else will be in place that will involve small businesses," said Blackwell. Despite the uncertainty of the future of the Fair Share Program Blackwell hopes being a member of the Minority Business Council will be all the help she needs. Of course she`ll have to wait until next week`s election to find out if that help will still be available.