HCC receives $500,000 grant for Disaster Recovery Program

Oct 10, 2017

The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has awarded a $500,000 grant to Houston Community College (HCC) for its Hurricane Harvey Disaster Recovery Plan. The grant will enable HCC to assist small minority-owned businesses pursue contracts specifically for the rebuilding of hurricane-ravaged areas.

“It’s all about making connections to opportunities and being prepared to seize them,” said Maya Durnovo, HCC Chief Entrepreneurial Officer. “We will help small businesses connect with contracts to rebuild the city and assist businesses to become primary contractors as they grow.”

HCC has hosted the Houston-MBDA Business Center since 2013. The MBDA is dedicated to promoting the growth of minority-owned businesses through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policies and research. The agency awarded the grant after HCC submitted a plan designed to help rebuild the city and help small businesses make the necessary connections to their larger counterparts.

“We have worked hard to assist our HCC family and community to recover from Harvey,” said Dr. Cesar Maldonado, HCC Chancellor.  “This grant reflects our ongoing determination to assist minority-owned business as they seek to overcome challenges brought about by the storm.”

HCC will also develop a Disaster Recovery Resource Guide to prepare businesses for future disasters.

“The grant shows that HCC really serves the community and is responsive to its needs,” said Durnovo.