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Diversity and Ethnic Chamber Alliance unveils REAPLAN to expand supplier diversity, loans and training for underserved firms
Summary
The Diversity and Ethnic Chamber Alliance (DECA) presented a Regional Equity and Economic Development Plan that seeks supplier diversity commitments from major employers, a $1 million DECA loan fund, expanded technical assistance and a proposed DECA business center, asking the city to consider ongoing operating support and capital match funding.
The Diversity and Ethnic Chamber Alliance on July 18 told the Austin City Council’s Economic Opportunity Committee that it has developed a Regional Equity and Economic Development Plan (REAPLAN) to increase access to procurement, capital, training and ownership opportunities for historically excluded entrepreneurs.
The REAPLAN is a coalition effort led by the Greater Austin Hispanic, Black, Asian and LGBT chambers. "We leverage our collective strength to ensure that small and micro businesses, particularly those that are historically excluded entrepreneurs, have access to resources, training, and opportunities that they need to thrive," Tina Cannon, president and CEO of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, said during the committee briefing.
The plan is organized around three pillars: resilience, equity and investment. Key components outlined by DECA include a place-based procurement initiative to work with major employers on supplier-diversity goals, a $1,000,000 DECA loan fund intended to serve firms that do not meet traditional underwriting standards, industry-specific technical assistance and mentorship programs, and supports for workforce housing and childcare to improve labor participation and business stability.
DECA representatives said the REAPLAN is informed by extensive outreach: more than 12,000 surveys and more than 180 focus-group participants, and represents the collective membership of "over 4,000" small businesses across the region. The presenters said the loan fund is already active and that Wells Fargo has committed $1,000,000 as an early partner.
DECA asked the committee to consider funding to sustain implementation. In the presentation, the coalition recommended an annual operating allocation of $1,000,000 and an initial capital pool of $5,000,000 with the potential to scale to $50,000,000 over time; presenters described those figures as illustrative asks to support the REAPLAN’s implementation, and said they anticipate private-sector partners.
Speakers emphasized a regional approach beyond Travis County and noted partnerships with institutions such as Austin Community College and Workforce Solutions to connect training pipelines to advanced manufacturing and other sectors. Mark Duvall of the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce said DECA intends to support trade and delegation activities as well as local business development.
Committee members asked questions about mentorship, workforce pathways and connecting manufacturing and renewable-energy opportunities to local training pipelines. Councilmember Sigel raised manufacturing and clean-energy supply-chain attraction as priorities. Presenters said DECA participates in regional stakeholder processes with Austin Energy and works across a five-county area where advanced manufacturing hubs are located.
DECA representatives also described international engagement and delegation plans, including an October trip to South Korea involving multiple Central Texas jurisdictions and business leaders.
The presentation concluded with invitations to local employers and council offices to partner on the REAPLAN and links to DECA resources, including decacentex.org, for more information.
Ending: City staff and committee members did not take a formal vote on the REAPLAN during the briefing; DECA asked the committee to consider incorporating operating and capital support for the initiative in future budget deliberations.
