Durham Reporter

Longstanding businesses can now register with the City of Durham for a new program to help residents and visitors support them.

What You Need to Know

Durham-based businesses in operation for 15 years or more can now register for the new Registry and Legacy Program at durhamlegacybc.com.

Designed to support minority- and women-owned businesses by encouraging stabilization, providing exposure to Durham’s broader business community, and more.

Online and in-person networking, technical assistance, and coaching sessions are also now available.

The City’s new Legacy Business Registry and Program is designed to support the preservation of minority and women-owned businesses that have been in operation for 15 years or more in Durham. This month, the program is launching the Durham Legacy Business Registry, which will serve as a premier listing for residents and visitors to find and support legacy businesses. 

According to Director Andre Pettigrew with the City’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, once created this registry will be easy to use and widely promoted to serve as one-stop shop for those who want to find and support these businesses. “By supporting legacy businesses, you’re supporting history, preservation, heritage, and stability as well as our local economy,” Pettigrew said. “Durham’s rich tradition and history of Black Wall Street generated some iconic companies. We want to preserve and build on this entrepreneurial tradition with this program, which is designed to retain and grow legacy minority and women-owned businesses and the local jobs and wealth they create in our community.”

Businesses that meet the program’s criteria are now encouraged to register for more access and exposure in the broader business community, and to take advantage of upcoming in-person and online networking opportunities, technical assistance sessions, and business coaching to help them grow their businesses.

For more information, visit the program webpage or contact Senior Community and Economic Development Analyst Chris Dickey by email or by phone at 919-560-4965, ext. 15204.

About the City of Durham Office of Economic and Workforce Development

Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development seeks to innovatively drive shared economic prosperity by increasing Durham’s commercial tax base; preparing the workforce to meet the demands of current and emerging industries; promoting long-term economic growth through revitalization of downtown, urban, and targeted suburban areas; and providing technical and targeted financial assistance for businesses.

Original source can be found here.