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Nonprofit Business Crossing Network seeks partnership; asks EDA to sponsor six businesses
Summary
Lalita ("Liletta") Harlem of Business Crossing Network presented a plan to partner with the EDA: public endorsement, in-kind meeting space and city sponsorship of six businesses (covering membership fees) to seed a local business directory, programming and a proposed 'Taste of Manassas Park' event in spring 2027.
Lalita Harlem, founder of the nonprofit Business Crossing Network, pitched a partnership to the Economic Development Authority that would connect local entrepreneurs with resources, a directory and free programming. Harlem asked the board for a public endorsement, in-kind facility access for workshops and sponsorship of six businesses (the city would cover those membership fees) to help build a local footprint.
Harlem said BCN already maintains a directory, quarterly magazine and programming; she proposed a spring 2027 "Taste of Manassas Park" event to showcase businesses and described multilingual outreach (Spanish, Arabic, Haitian Creole). Board members questioned investment levels and reporting; Harlem said the initial city seed would be small (the presentation referenced a $2.47/year membership figure) and that BCN would work with the city to identify representative businesses and produce regular reporting on milestones and outreach.
