The Community Navigator Program, a website aimed at making it easier for New Hampshire entrepreneurs and business owners from traditionally under-served communities to access key business resources, has been launched by the Community Development Finance Authority.
According to Katy Easterly Martey, the CDFA’s executive director, the website will be a portal to connect people with business counseling and marketing resources as well as access to capital, but it will also connect microenterprises, cooperatives and businesses in the early stages of development to community partners that are focused on supporting under-served communities.
Easterly Martey said the Community Navigator Program “is the next evolution for New Hampshire’s small business development ecosystem. These resources will support our collective efforts to break down barriers to accessing resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs to help them grow.”
She added that “community members impacted by intergenerational poverty and the racial wealth gap are unfortunately faced with barriers that diminish their access to these types of resources and networks. These inequities in small business development and asset building are diminishing a small business’s potential. It is critical in this moment that we take the opportunity to break down these barriers through the Community Navigator Program.”
The CDFA was awarded a $2.5 million grant by the U.S. Small Business Administration to launch the program and is one of 51 grantees selected from more than 700 submissions nationwide. The Community Naviga tor Program was created as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
Easterly Martey said CDFA will serve as the statewide “hub” for implementation, working alongside established microenterprise technical assistance providers covering each region of the state, New Hampshire’s SBA office, statewide training and language-access partners, and community partners to achieve the goals of the program.
The regional partners include: Grafton Regional Development Corp., Coos Economic Development Corp., Belknap Economic Development Council, Wentworth Economic Development Corp., Regional Economic Development Center of Southern New Hampshire, the Hannah Grimes Center and River Valley Community College.
In addition, the statewide New Hampshire Small Business Development Center will also be providing assistance and resources.
“Building a successful small business requires strong community relationships and access to capital with the help of friends and family,” said Easterly Martey. “Community members impacted by intergenerational poverty and the racial wealth gap are unfortunately faced with barriers that diminish their access to these types of resources and networks. These inequities in small business development and asset building are diminishing a small business’s potential. It is critical in this moment that we take the opportunity to break down these barriers through the Community Navigator Program.”
To learn more about New Hampshire’s program, reach out to a partner organization, or sign up for news and updates, visit nhcommunitynavigator.org.
