City, CRVA Announce Minority-Owned Business Growth Program Partnership

Published on August 03, 2023

AMP Up Charlotte graduates and city staff celebrating and hold AMP Up banner

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Aug. 3, 2023) – The City of Charlotte, in partnership with the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, is accepting applications for the eighth AMP Up Charlotte cohort.

AMP Up Charlotte is a business growth education program, powered by Interise, that helps small business owners increase revenues, create jobs, and positively impact their community.

Program participants complete Interise’s award-winning and internationally recognized StreetWise ‘MBA’ curriculum and learn how to scale up their business model. The curriculum includes business development, mentoring, targeted training, and access to large corporations for contract and procurement opportunities. At the conclusion of the program, business owners will have developed a customized, three-year strategic growth plan to propel them forward.

"Over the past six years, the Amp Up program has created a huge impact on the participating companies. Recent program graduates have experienced an average revenue growth of 19%, secured $1.4 million in contracting and funding, 78% are following a strategic growth action plan, and 93% would recommend the program to a fellow business owner,” said Bernard Johnson, Director of Programs at Interise. “AMP Up is a critical component to ensuring business owners in the city are connected to opportunities while building capacity. Interise is proud to be part of this transformative program and to see local businesses increase confidence while creating a road map for success."

Applications for AMP Up Cohort 8 are being accepted until noon on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. Program eligibility requirements include:

  • Ethnic minority business owner with 51% or greater ownership of the business.
  • A minimum of $175,000 in annual gross revenues.
  • Employ one other worker besides the business owner or owners.
  • In business for at least two years.

“The CRVA values the talents and skills of diverse individuals and companies in executing its mission and is focused on creating equitable access for Minority and Women Business Enterprises to participate in bid and contracting opportunities,” said Tom Murray, CEO of CRVA. “We continuously seek to expand the supply chain so that it reflects the diversity of Charlotte's guests, customers, and the broader community. Strengthening engagement in the MWBE program is vitally important to the CRVA’s goal of ensuring those we do business with reflect the community’s diversity and aligns directly with the organizational mission of elevating community prosperity.”  

The city will provide more information about the program at a virtual open house session on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 6 p.m. Interested business owners can apply for the program online.

Please contact Anika Ellis with questions about the program Anika.Ellis@charlottenc.gov.

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