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MEDWEEK BACKGROUND

In December 1982, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation stating that
the first full week of October was designated as national “Minority Enterprise De-
velopment Week” (MED Week) to recognize the tremendous contributions that mi-
nority business owners have made toward the continued economic development
of our Nation. The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development
Agency (MBDA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) were named as
the lead agencies for MED Week. Today, this worthwhile effort continues.

Since 1983 MED Week has been observed throughout the nation, including Jack-
sonville, with thousands of entrepreneurs participating in workshops, seminars,
trade fairs, luncheons, procurement conferences and other activities.
Annually, MED Week provides a forum for discussion of major issues affecting the
growth and development of minority business enterprises (MBEs). National MED
Week provides an opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions made by
minority entrepreneurs and the public / corporate sectors in support of minority
enterprise development.

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