News by SB Informer

DHL Extends Relief and Recovery Efforts to Support Small Business Owners in New Orleans

 

Ten Local Arts-Related Business Owners in New Orleans to Receive Grants to Promote Microenterprise Development

SB Informer
Friday, May 5, 2006; 02:35 AM

NEW ORLEANS - DHL, the world's leading global express delivery and logistics company, will make a $10,000 check presentation on the steps of New Orleans City Hall during Jazz Fest on May 5 to recognize the recipients of ten DHL cash grants as part of the "DHL Advancing Micro- Entrepreneurs" program.

This is DHL's second year of the "DHL Advancing Micro-Entrepreneurs" business partnership with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the national microenterprise development trade and membership association. The AEO affiliate in the New Orleans area, Newcorp Business Assistance Center, will be distributing the DHL grant awards. Founded in 1995, Newcorp's mission is to help physically challenged people and minority-owned businesses grow and prosper. They provide technical assistance in the form of management consulting, business plan development, strategic planning and e-commerce among other services.

The DHL Advancing Micro-Entrepreneurs program provides financial awards and pre-paid DHL ShipReady shipping products designed to assist underserved microentrepreneurs in the development of their businesses. The program also provides practical assistance to low- and moderate-income microenterprises, enabling them to strengthen their shipping functions. The program started last year with recipients in South Florida, Houston and Phoenix, and is expanding this year to include Louisiana, Georgia, New York, Virginia and Washington State.

"The economic revitalization of New Orleans played a key role in our decision to provide grant recipients with the resources they need to succeed," said Kelly Keogh, director of corporate citizenship, DHL. "These art-related businesses have been through so much in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina trying to get established. DHL wanted to provide them with the necessary support they need to secure equipment, promote their services or do whatever small businesses need to do to put them on a path to success."

"The true results of this program will be realized months from now as these enterprises increase their business and level of services," said Vaughn Fauria, executive director of the Newcorp Business Assistance Center. "DHL is contributing to long-term economic support efforts by providing cash grants and in-kind shipping services to help 10 budding small businesses with the capital and direct DHL employee professional advice to help these companies succeed over the long term."

A hands-on DHL employee volunteer project incorporated into the program also gives DHL employees the opportunity to make personal professional service contributions to selected area microentrepreneurs. As part of the "DHL Cares Day" initiative, DHL volunteers will provide New Orleans-area microbusinesses hands-on guidance on various issues related to small businesses, including shipping and distribution and customer service.

The check presentation ceremony will be held on the steps of New Orleans City Hall at 10 a.m. at 1300 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 on Friday, May 5, 2006. The grant recipients of the 10 New Orleans area $1,000 cash awards are:

AEO's mission is to support the development of strong and effective U.S. microenterprise initiatives to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding businesses. For more information on AEO, please visit http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/.

About DHL

At DHL, Customer Service is back in shipping. Our mission is to provide the most flexible, personable and enjoyable experience in the shipping industry for our customers.

DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. Over 285,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. For more information on DHL, please visit http://www.dhl.com/.

DHL Press Contact: Richard Gibbs Manager, Public Relations DHL Americas (954) 888-7114 [email protected] Newcorp Business Assistance Center Press Contact: Vaughn Fauria Executive Director Newcorp Business Assistance Center (504) 615-1900 [email protected] http://www.newcorpbac.net/

Website: http://www.dhl.com/
Website: http://www.newcorpbac.net/
Website: http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/