MINORITY BUSINESSES : Black Business Alliance Will Have Home and Some Welcome Neighbors

After 5 years with only a post office box for an address, the Black Business Alliance of Orange County can finally stretch out in a real office.

The group recently completed a 4-month, $250,000 fund-raising effort and on next Friday will open its new Center for Business Excellence--a privately funded, Santa Ana complex that also will house 30 start-up minority businesses.

The center is complete with a central reception area, conference room, large meeting room, kitchenette and adequate off-street parking--everything that a new small business needs but cannot afford on its own, according to Wayne Williamson, chairman of the alliance.

“The membership decided that there was a need to provide housing for black businesses, allowing businesses that are now in houses, working out of cars, garages, briefcases and post office boxes to work out of a professional office environment, ensuring them a greater chance of success,” Williamson explained.

While the emphasis is on minority start-ups, he said, the center is “available for anyone.” The criteria for entry are simple: a $100 deposit and a desire to succeed. Rent runs from $195 to $525 monthly.

So far, nine small companies--ranging from a custodial service to a ham radio school--have signed up and will take occupancy on March 1. The center is at 1202 W. Civic Center Drive, Suite 205.

And the next step for the alliance and its 223 members?

“We are looking to closely align ourselves with a local credit union or bank,” Williamson said. “If that is not successful, we would be looking to establish our own bank in the spring of 1990.