The goal of MBDR is to increase Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) and people with disabilities participation in business and employment opportunities. 

MBDR partnered with Minnesota Ethnic Chambers and other Government Agencies to create a capacity building tool thru the Business Retention and Expansion (BR &E) Program lead by the Minnesota Ethnic Chamber Coalition in partnership with the University of Minnesota. The  progress report is located in the 2009 Business Retention and Expansion Ethnic Chamber Report.

Performance Overview
MBDR and our Community Partners continue our practice of transparency by creating a snapshot of our progress. The 2009 Quarterly Performance Overviews are available.  Look for the Year End 2009 Performance Overview shortly.

In 2006, our Community Partners continued to provide services in business capacity building, construction related apprenticeship opportunities, small business assistance, commercial corridor assistance and minority home ownership opportunities.  2006 was a year focused on providing additional access and transparency as displayed in the following tools:

• Unveiled MBDR Performance Brochure at the National Multicultural Forum at the Saint Paul River Center
• Launched "first ever" MBDR Website, February 2006
• Created the MBDR Corner, a monthly print media column submitted to provide access to construction and professional service information and opportunities.  Available in a variety of minority, women and small business focused media outlets.
• 2003-2005 Performance Overviews

Small and medium size businesses requested business community forums that include elected officials, city staff, partners and Socially Responsible Investment Banks to focus on resources and support during tought economic times.

Saint Paul Businesses and Community Development Corporations, AHANA Initiative, Project of Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC) and the City of Saint Paul departments of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity, Planning and Economic Development and the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI).

The Fourms are video taped and posted on the MBDR Forum website and available for future broadcast.