Trump targets minority, civil rights programs for cuts or elimination

     President Trump reportedly has plans for major budget cuts--including plans to reduce or eliminate several programs that are important to small businesses and minorities.

      The Commerce Dept.’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which assists minority-owned businesses, is among those said to be targeted for cancellation, according to reports by The Hill, Time, and other publications.

      The MBDA said it serves more than 17,000 minority-owned businesses a year with a budget of $36 million. From fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2011, it helped such firms obtain nearly $11 billion in contracts and capital, the highest performance in the agency’s history.

      Other agencies expected to be on the chopping block include the Economic Development Administration and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership...... ...more....