Background

From 2022 to 2023, members of the diverse chambers of commerce, the small business administration, small business development center and financial institutions participated in several roundtable discussions regarding the barriers of accessing capital for local diverse small businesses. As a result of these roundtables, this alliance was formed to address these challenges with solutions, grant funds and loan partners to improve and increase access to capital to support the growth of these small businesses.

USBA Organization

The organization is led by a Steering Committee and facilitated by an executive director. Funds, training and programming will be provided by Resource Partners and sponsors to support the mission, operation and grant funds.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee will provide strategic direction and planning for the USBA, govern Resource Partner membership in USBA and provide recommendations to the Mountain West Foundation and other Resource Partners with respect to funding requests. The Committee is composed of representation from the diverse chambers of commerce and the Mountain West Foundation, which serves as the Alliances’ fiscal agent..