Federal Funding Cuts Leave Minority-Owned Businesses Searching for Support

Native entrepreneurs are creating resilient, sustainable businesses — even as federal support disappears.

This month, The Oregonian/OregonLive published an in-depth report on the sudden loss of federal support for minority-owned businesses, including Native-owned companies here in Oregon. The article paints a sobering picture: key programs under the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) — the only federal agency solely dedicated to supporting the growth of minority-owned businesses — have had their funding abruptly cut, leaving business owners without crucial resources.

The MBDA previously worked through local organizations like the Northwest Native Chamber, providing technical assistance, business coaching, strategic planning, and connections to funding. For many entrepreneurs, these programs were not just helpful — they were essential.

Local Stories of Impact

The article features several Oregon business owners whose growth plans have been disrupted:

• Melissa Bird, founder of Mermaid’s Garden, a Native and disabled veteran-owned aquaculture farm retreat, lost access to the funding and bookkeeping help she’d relied on to search for property and get her business off the ground.

• Adam Becenti, of Black Streak Consulting, was finalizing his company’s branding and development work with the Northwest Native Chamber when the funding stopped. He has had to pay out of pocket and seek less comprehensive support elsewhere.

• Adrienne Fainman, CEO of CedarStone, our mass-timber design-build firm, had been working with the Northwest Native Chamber for legal and accounting guidance after winning a $100,000 grant through Oregon’s Economic Equity Investment Program. The loss of MBDA funding means finding alternative resources — but the value of working with a Native-run organization that understands our worldview and approach is irreplaceable.

Why This Matters

James Parker, CEO of the Northwest Native Chamber, notes that economic development funding can be a lifeline for underserved and economically distressed communities, helping them create their own resilience and self-sufficiency. Without it, more people are forced toward social services — a costlier and less empowering alternative.

Joe Sky-Tucker, CEO of Business Impact Northwest, warns that these MBDA cuts could be just the beginning, with other federal small-business programs also facing reductions.

Our Take at CedarStone

As a Native-owned company, CedarStone knows firsthand the difference it makes to receive guidance from people who understand the cultural and community contexts we operate within. This isn’t just about business — it’s about aligning projects with values, building intergenerational wealth, and sustaining community health.

The sudden loss of MBDA funding disrupts that pipeline of culturally competent support, leaving many minority-owned businesses to navigate complex legal, financial, and strategic challenges alone.

What You Can Do

• Read the full article on The Oregonian/OregonLive: Oregon small businesses grapple with loss of federal aid for minority-owned startups

• Support local minority-owned businesses — seek them out, hire them, and share their stories.

• Advocate for equitable funding — reach out to your representatives about the importance of federal programs that help diverse entrepreneurs grow and succeed.

At CedarStone, we remain committed to building innovative, sustainable, and culturally grounded projects — even in the face of shifting funding landscapes. The need for resilience, creativity, and community support has never been greater.