• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

The National Urban League, BP America, and the Urban League of Greater New Orleans Bring the Gulf Coast Economic Empowerment Tour to New Orleans

Posted on: Friday, 12 October 2007, 12:00 CDT

NEW ORLEANS, , Oct. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Not even Hurricane Katrina can keep the people or businesses of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region down. It's no secret that $10 billion worth of public and private projects are up for grabs as the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast kicks into high gear.

After receiving a grant of $3.2 million from the BP Foundation, the National Urban League and BP America have developed the Gulf Coast Economic Empowerment Program to help small and minority-owned businesses become part of the rebuilding process. The program offers training and resource support, enabling the businesses to pursue and secure contracting opportunities and resources in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast in the housing and construction industry sectors.

Small and minority business owners can become a part of this important program initiative by attending the National Urban League's Gulf Coast Economic Empowerment Tour, powered by BP and co-sponsored by the Urban League of Greater New Orleans on October 16th in New Orleans, Louisiana.

During this event, small and minority business owners will: -- Learn about gaining access to contracting opportunities created by the recovery effort, -- meet with people representing government agencies and corporations who are planning and managing major rebuilding projects in the Gulf Coast region, and who are also providing business resources and procurement opportunities, -- receive matchmaking prospects, and -- participate in one-on-one networking sessions.

As part of the Gulf Coast Economic Empowerment Program, business owners will receive consultations and recommendations on improving their business, targeted opportunity notifications, back office operations, technical assistance, tailored services and assessments along with periodic reviews.

The Gulf Coast Economic Empowerment Program is FREE to small and minority-owned businesses, but registration is required. For more information, call 504-529-9890 or visit http://www.nul.org/.

WHO: National Urban League -- Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, BP America -- Bob Malone, President, BP America, and the Urban League of Greater New Orleans -- Nolan Rollins, President & CEO WHAT: The Gulf Coast Economic Empowerment Tour WHEN: Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 8:00am - 12:30pm PRESS CONFERENCE: 10:00am - 10:30am WHERE: New Orleans Marriott Hotel -- Preservation Hall Ballroom 555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

National Urban League (http://www.nul.org/) Established in 1910, The Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 2 million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research.

BP is one of the world's largest energy companies, with interests in more than 100 countries and over 96,000 employees across six continents. BP's business segments are Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Gas, Power and Renewables which includes its Alternative Energy business. Through these business segments, BP provides fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services, and petrochemicals products. For more information, visit http://www.bp.com/ http://www.bp.com/us.

The National Urban League

CONTACT: Rhonda Spears Bell of National Urban League, +1-678-633-2180,rhondaspearsbell@yahoo.com

Web Site: http://www.bp.com/http://www.nul.org/

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

More News in this Category