Pennsylvania begins rolling out race-based grants for businesses. Not available to whites

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Governor Josh Shapiro’s bipartisan 2024-25 budget includes funding for small, diverse businesses that have historically been denied access to social or economic opportunity, including minority-owned businesses, through the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program.

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Today, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program is open and accepting funding applications from established nonprofits, economic development organizations, and educational institutions to create Business Assistance Service Centers across Pennsylvania to support and empower our small, diverse businesses. Applications will be accepted through January 22, 2025.

Since day one, Governor Josh Shapiro and his Administration have advocated to open new doors of opportunity for minority-owned businesses across the Commonwealth. The Governor’s bipartisan 2024-25 budget includes funding for the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program to support a variety of historically disadvantaged businesses, including minority-owned businesses, all across the Commonwealth.

“I’ve advocated for this funding because when small businesses succeed, they create opportunity for Pennsylvanians all across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “My Administration and I are committed to breaking down barriers to progress and helping historically disadvantaged business owners and entrepreneurs build generational wealth. Pennsylvania is open for business and we’re making sure small, diverse businesses have the support they need to achieve their dreams and grow our economy.”

The Business Assistance Service Centers that will be created through the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program will provide technical assistance and business support services to increase access to capital, promote economic empowerment, and boost the number of diverse small businesses.

“When we invest in minority communities and help historically disadvantaged businesses in those neighborhoods, we’re not just supporting job creation — we’re building ladders of opportunity,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. “The Shapiro-Davis Administration will never leave any community behind.”

The Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program will use a competitive application process to determine funding awards to at least one eligible organization in each region of the Commonwealth. Educational institutions, community-based nonprofit organizations, and nonprofit economic development organizations with established experience and expertise in business and economic development are eligible to apply for funding.

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