LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 21, 2012) – Kentucky Small Business Development Center Director of Special Programs, Dee Dee Harbut, has been appointed as the chair of the Governor’s Minority Employment, Business Affairs & Economic Development Council for her third term. This appointment will expire in April 2016.
“We are proud of Dee Dee’s appointment as chair of the Council for another term,” said KSBDC State Director Becky Naugle. “The KSBDC is proud to support minority business owners in the commonwealth and partnering with the Council serves our mission well.”
Established in 2004, the Governor’s Minority Employment, Business Affairs and Economic Council in collaboration with major corporations, business owners, government entities, community and higher education institutions, seeks to develop outcome driven initiatives that can measurably grow minority business enterprises and minority employment opportunities within the commonwealth.
The council operates within the Kentucky’s Governor’s Office of Minority Employment (GOME), which works to support minority business owners by promoting self-sufficiency through education and training; ensuring equal access to jobs and focusing on economic development.
Since Harbut’s original appointment as Chair six years ago, the Council has played a significant role in the following statewide improvements:
- Small Business Connection Portal
- Minority and Women-owned Business Entity Certification Program (M/WBE)
- Regained reciprocity with the State of Indiana’s MBE Certification Program
- Procurement training for state purchasing agents