Press Releases

Wilkes-Barre PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced $154,000 for The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry (CBI) from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for their Connect Inclusive Program. This funding will support 40 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), 14 communities and 100 participants in the Luzerne County by offering support and training for business owners to promote their economic success and growth.

“A thriving and diverse business community is not only essential to the economic prosperity of our region, but also makes our cities and towns more exciting and attractive places to live and work,” said Rep. Cartwright. “I am proud the Appalachian Regional Commissions sees the value in investing in the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry as they work to meet the growing demand for support for minority and women-owned businesses. I am grateful for the work Lindsey Griffin and her entire team do to ensure that these businesses succeed.”

Between 2010 and 2020, Luzerne County saw a significant increase in the diversity of its demographics. Responding to that change, the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry (CBI) created the Connect Inclusive program for DBE owners. A DBE is defined as a small business 51% owned by a socially and economically disadvantaged individuals such as women, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans or other minority groups. The Chamber offers financial literacy courses, a mentorship program, direct technical assistance to DBEs and substantial outreach efforts in traditionally underserved communities.

"The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry (CBI), in partnership with The Institute and the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), are proud and excited to announce their ARC Grant Award for the Connect Inclusive program (CIP). This important initiative will address systemic and historical barriers to entrepreneurship and business growth that individuals from minority communities experience by providing accessible and inclusive resources for disadvantaged business enterprises, providing them with all stages of education and technical resources to start-up or continue to grow their business,” said Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, President & CEO of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce and Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry. “We are thankful to ARC and the support for this program from Congressman Cartwright and all of our elected officials and partners as it will provide a vital resource to our region for continued business growth and success.”

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to reach these populations of business enterprises and aspiring entrepreneurs in our region through Connect Inclusive. Giving disenfranchised communities access to these much-needed business development resources will ensure their success in building out and expanding their ventures – which can only make this region more vibrant, our businesses and community more culturally enriched, and our resources more connected than ever before,” said Shanie Mohamed, Director of Economic Development for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry.

Since 1965, the Appalachian Regional Commission has been supporting the economic development needs of 423 counties across 13 states in the Appalachian Region. A partnership between the federal government and those 13 states, ARC has transformed Appalachian communities, created jobs and strengthened regional economies.