St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman plans to spend his Friday morning celebrating the new Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corp.
The new organization aims to offer resources, partnering opportunities and even loans to businesses owned and operated by African-American business leaders. The focus is on historically underserved markets.
That would include two areas the city has recently been focusing revitalization efforts on – Midtown and Child’s Park.
The Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corp. officially opens at 1123 22 Street South in St. Pete Friday morning at 9. Kriseman will attend the opening with Deputy Mayor Dr. Kanika Tomalin.
The project is partly funded by the City of St. Pete.
The Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corp. has been established since 1987. Traditionally the group worked to serve black entrepreneurs but now expands service to those in all ethnic backgrounds.
They provide services often not cost-effective for banks to assist small business owners with, including underwriting, analysis of business and personal finances and other technical assistance.
The Tampa Bay group’s contributions have reached $12 million since its inception in 1987.
The group is headed by banking guru Albert Lee. Lee will also be on hand for the opening of the St. Petersburg location.
