Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce
West Texas Business Navigator Program
What is the West Texas Business Navigator Program?
What does the program offer?
The Business Navigator program is built to increase equity in marginalized business & entrepreneur communities.
The West Texas Business Navigator Program will target small business owners who are women, minorities, disabled, veterans, or people in the Big Country's rural counties. If you are an entrepreneur, think about your challenges and contact us so that we can direct you or assist you with the great resources this program offers.
Its Purpose
In May of 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) authorized a $1 million grant through the American Rescue Plan to pilot a new program targeting increased equity among minority business owners in underserved areas called the Community Navigator Pilot Program.
The Abilene Chamber of Commerce has been selected as one of 51 grantees to receive funding through this program. It will be working with organizations like the Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce to execute these programs.
"As a black small business owner, the (ABCC) chamber has provided stability and a powerful network for my enterprises."
-Dennis McCullough
Please fill in the form below.
On submission, you will be forwarded to complete the application process.
Abilene Black Chamber
Funded (in part) through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
Navigator Program Entry
Program FAQ
The target demographic for this program includes people from marginalized communities in the nineteen counties of the Big Country.
No. Unfortunately, this program does not currently provide financial assistance for businesses.
With the help of the West Central Texas Council of Governments, we are able to serve people and businesses in Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor and Throckmorton County.
Training and mentoring will be provided on a rolling basis and the choices of class times and mentoring appointments are entirely up to you and your business.
You do not have to be a member of the Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce to take advantage of the opportunities provided under this grant. However, we would love to have you as a member.
Take a moment after you have applied to check us out and see if you believe we are a good fit for you!
Fill out the form on this page, and you will be directed to an application process to determine if you qualify. Afterward, you will be provided with a variety of learning opportunities that match your priorities and needs!
This program will provide training and mentoring for business owners and employees who are members of marginalized, underserved communities.
The funding was provided through an SBA grant for two years and will sunset in November 2023.
To learn more about the SBA program, click here.
Yes! We will be looking for business leaders in our community to serve as partners and mentors. If you’re interested in connecting with any of the spoke organizations to serve in this way, reach out to us.