Keystone News speaks with The Enterprise Center's Iola Harper for Black Business Month
Media Outlet
Danielle Smith
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In Philadelphia, many turned to The Enterprise Center, which became a hub for loan activity. Iola Harper – senior executive vice president at the Center – said they were already working at a deficit when COVID hit.
So, the organization positioned itself to distribute funds, to help keep minority entrepreneurs afloat.
“We gave out $126 million in PPP loans,” said Harper. “We gave out $610,000 to barbershops and beauty salons. We gave out $100,000 in grants to one of the commercial corridors, 52nd Street, that we work with.”
Harper said the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team also chipped in, donating $500,000 that was distributed to 68 businesses.
She added that the Center is also mobile, with a “Biz on Wheels” vehicle that travels to commercial corridors and works with small companies to provide them with technical assistance and business resources.
The Enterprise Center has launched a new Innovate Capital Growth Fund – a licensed Small Business Investment Company, or SBIC – to focus exclusively on investing in minority and women-owned businesses.
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