The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) recently requested public comments on the future content of its newly launched Information Clearinghouse, hosted at www.mbda.gove/research. 

The Information Clearinghouse was created by the MBDA’s Office of Data, Research, and Evaluation (ODRE) and is a site that will serve as the agency’s mandate to create an information clearinghouse that will gather and publish demographic, economic, financial, managerial, and technical data that relates to minority business enterprises (MBEs). 

The Information Clearinghouse, consisting of the MBDA Research Library and the Data Warehouse, will join the MBDA’s Research Library, available at library.mbda.gov. The MBDA’s Research Library organizes and collects research, studies, and reports related to MBEs and hosts other relevant studies and reports from reputable government entities and organizations.

MBDA’s Data Warehouse gathers and publishes data from the MBDA and other federal sources. The Information Clearinghouse and MBDA’s Research Library will collectively gather information to increase understanding of emerging trends, identify opportunities for innovation, and help MBEs adjust to changing market conditions. 

About the MBDA

The US Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency has been active for over 50 years. It is the only federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of US minority business enterprises (MBEs). The MBDA addresses problems for MBEs, such as limited access to capital, difficulty accessing and winning contracts, and lack of market access. 

The agency’s programs and services have helped MBEs create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues, and expand on regional, national, and international levels. Promoting the growth of MBEs, the MBDA has a network of Business Centers and technical assistance programs that have proven invaluable to their success. These Business Centers help MBEs expand into domestic and global markets and grow in size and scale. 

The MBDA prioritizes the success of MBEs. It Offers Advanced Manufacturing Centers to support manufacturers and provides targeted assistance to help them implement new technologies, increasing the number of “Made in America” products that can be sold domestically and globally. 

The MBDA’s Innovative Finance Projects also supports MBEs. These projects seek to address, mitigate, and remove systemic barriers to traditional financing by leveraging alternative funding methods and non-traditional lending sources.

More on the MBDA’s Information Clearinghouse

Officially launching its Information Clearinghouse in December 2024, the MBDA is submitting a Request for Information (RFI) to gather feedback on what data and research the agency should pursue, how it selects materials for publication, and how MBDA can make it most helpful to its users.    

“The MBDA Information Clearinghouse is an essential part of the Minority Business Development Agency’s mission to expand access and opportunities for the country’s minority business enterprises,” said Deputy Under Secretary of Minority Business Development Eric Morrissette. “In order to close the $7.1 trillion opportunity gap for minority business enterprises, we must be guided by accurate, timely data and research about the state of minority businesses in America.  The MBDA Information Clearinghouse—mandated by a bipartisan commission in Congress who passed the Minority Business Development Act of 2021—is the permanent federal infrastructure needed to keep America’s minority business enterprises at the cutting edge of a fast-evolving global economy.”

The MBDA’s ODRE creates and commissions data, studies, reports, and other publications for and about MBEs. Its evidence-based research is made available to the public, which includes entrepreneurs, service delivery providers, policymakers, and other key stakeholders. The research, analysis, and data provide helpful insights to inform strategic decisions better. 

To access MBDA’s Information Clearinghouse, you can visit www.mbda.gov/research. To submit public comments, please visit www.federalregister.gov using the RFI number (Docket No. 241219-0332).