Topics for Economic Inclusion

The resources in this section highlights policy, procurement and resources targeted towards the advancement of equitable engagement for Tennessee’s Diverse Business Enterprises (DBEs) seeking certification, in addition to resources other underserved and underrepresented businesses.

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

Programs, Resources, Certification

LGBT Business Enterprises

Programs, Resources, Certification

  • National LGBT Chamber of Commerce – advances common business interests and equality; certification
  • SBA 8(a) – business development program helps DBEs compete in the marketplace
  • SBA LGBT Inclusion – focus on economic empowerment by providing access to programs and services
  • StartOut – organization dedicated to creating business leaders by fostering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer entrepreneurs

Minority Business Enterprises

Programs, Resources, Certification 

Small Business Enterprise 

Programs, Resources, Certification

Veteran Business Enterprises

Programs, Resources, Certification

Women Business Enterprises

Programs, Resources, Certification

Justice Impacted Individuals (Previously Incarcerated Entrepreneurs)

Programs, Opportunities and Resources

  • Grants – see the grant section under Quick Links; grant dollars related to previously incarcerated typically go to nonprofits and government agencies to provide support services and training to affect recidivism
  • Jobs4TN – find employers near you
  • Jobs For Felons Hub -  online reentry resource portal
  • Reentering the Community – A Handbook – checklists, available services, helpful tools
  • Step Ahead: helps job seekers with felony convictions and other criminal charges know their work options

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Rural Businesses

Programs, Opportunities and Resources

  • AgLaunch - collaboaratively supports and develops sustainable, future-ready farms and transformation of regional agricultural and food economies
  • HUBZone ​- helps small businesses gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities
  • Main Street (Tennessee) - provides technical assistance, training and guidance to nationally accredited downtowns
  • National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) - an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities
  • Opportunity Zones - a federal tax incentive for investors to re-invest  capital gains into investing in designated low-income areas
  • RUPRI – provides unbiased analysis and information on the challenges, needs and opportunities facing rural America
  • Southern Rural Development (SRDC) – a mix of strategies to help rural communities seed entrepreneurs
  • USDA Rural Development - work in partnership with the private sector and the community-based organizations to provide financial assistance (not a direct lender)
  • UT Institute for Agriculture and Extension – information resource for rural business

Youth Entrepreneurship

Programs, Opportunities and Resources

  • DECA - prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in high schools and colleges worldwide
  • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) - bring business and education together
  • Global Entrepreneurship Week - the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups
  • Junior Achievement (JA) - K-12th grade programs foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship, financial literacy
  • Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) - provides programs that inspire young people from low-income communities to stay in school, to recognize business opportunities 
  • FSA Youth Loans (loan program) – loans of up to $5,000 for eligible individual rural youths, (10-20 yrs. old) to finance income producing, agriculture-related projects
  • Virtual Enterprise - an in-school entrepreneurship program and global business simulation
  • Young Entrepreneurs - current articles, blogs and other media for teens and young entrepreneurs