Earlier this month, Dayton’s Minority Business Assistance Center was awarded a grant for $600,000, the largest grant in its history. The funds come from the Ohio Development Services Agency and the City of Dayton.
Senay Semere, director of the center, said at this week’s Dayton commission meeting that the money will help local, minority-owned businesses stay competitive.
“We always talk about aiming for the moon, aiming for the stars, but a lot of times what these businesses are looking for is sustainability," Semere said. "So how do we make sure that each business is able to stay afloat, provide support for their employees, and also feed their kids and their children and their household?”
The grant will be used over the next two years to support minority entrepreneurs across twelve Western Ohio counties.
This story and photo caption have been revised to reflect the proper spelling of Senay Semere's name.