Latest news from FMBCC
Stay up-to-date on our most recent news and updatesGov. Newsom expands small business grants to $4 billion, largest program in the country
Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled another component of his $100 billion California Comeback Plan: making historic investments in small business relief. Governor Newsom’s Plan expands the state’s COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant program to a total of $4 billion,...
Tara Lynn Gray appointed to CA Office of the Small Business Advocate
The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) supports economic growth and innovation and ensures that ALL California small businesses and innovative startups have the information and direct support they need to better navigate resources, programs and...
A new home for some of Downtown Fresno’s favorite burgers
By Breanna Hardy—March 9, 2021 This spring, customers of Full Circle Brewing Co. can add a burger to their beer tab. Desirae Washington, owner of Take 3, is partnering with Arthur Moye, owner of Full Circle Brewing Co., to open her new restaurant, Grumpy Burger...
State adds $2.1 billion in new funding for small business grants
Great news, chamber members! The California Relief Grant Program, which awards direct grants ranging between $5,000 and $25,000 to small businesses impacted by the pandemic, recently received an additional $2.1 billion in new funding―a fourfold increase over the $500...
Former Fresno Mayor Lee Brand starts scholarship program, gifts $50k to FMBCC foundation
Former Fresno Mayor Lee Brand may no longer be in the public eye but he wanted to continue his work to help change lives. Brand's new scholarship program was aimed at students not with 4.0-grade point averages - but with "C" averages. Brand returned to his alma mater...
Black brewers make their mark in craft brewing industry
By Gary Stoller—Feb. 23, 2021 Brewing industry data shows that Black Americans represent about 12% of U.S. beer drinkers, but only 1% of breweries are owned by Blacks. Arthur Moye, one of an estimated 55-75 Black brewery owners throughout the country, knows why. “The...
Fresno ranks 5th midsized city with most minority-owned businesses
By Linda Ha—Feb. 19, 2021 Over the last decade, minority-owned businesses accounted for more than 50 percent of the two million new businesses in the country, according to the US Senate Committee on Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship. After years of sharing his...
The Power to ProspHer: Our 2020 Women of Color Symposium
Our Central Valley Women's Economic Impact Center held its seventh annual Women of Color Business Symposium on Thursday, encouraging women entrepreneurs in our area to look inside out for their power and find strength in the process of growing their businesses. This...
9 face mask myths you need to stop believing right this minute
Let’s be real for a second: Masks suck. They’re uncomfortable, especially in the Central Valley heat, and they prevent you from doing a lot of the normal things you're used to doing with the people you love. But here's the reality: Wearing a mask is still one of the...
Gov. Newsom lays out 6-point plan to reopen California
Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Tuesday that he will be rolling out a new strategy to open up the state again, which should help millions of California residents and business owners who have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a media briefing, Newsom unveiled...