By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – A Census report this week showed the number of black-owned companies in metro Atlanta nearly doubled from 2002 to 2007. Even before 2002, many blacks have viewed the area as fertile business ground. But some argue it is past time for African-Americans to grow different types of companies.

Mary Parker started her company, All-In-One Security Services, in Southwest Atlanta in 2001. She saw it boom in 2007.

“Our revenues increased by over 50 percent,” said Parker.

Parker says the growth has continued through last year. She’s hired more than 200 workers and has expanded to Nebraska and now Africa. While the recession hurt other businesses, Parker’s flourished.

“As the economy downsizes and gets worse, so does crime,” said Parker. “The need for securing and protecting is even more prevalent.”

In addition to alarm systems, Parker provides security guards for schools, banks and other companies. Michael Hill, the President and CEO of the Atlanta Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, says Parker and many other black companies are similar.

“Those businesses that provide services and not necessarily create products,” said Hill.

Hill is President and CEO of the Atlanta Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce. From 2002 to 2007, the number of black-owned businesses here soared by 99%. Most of them, Hill says, are service companies such as consulting or cleaning.

“How sustainable will those businesses be over a period of time?” asked Hill. “How will they impact the African-American community as it relates to creating jobs?”

In 2007, almost 38% of the nation’s black-owned businesses were in service fields such as maintenance, repair and laundry. Hill admits those companies could flourish. However, he urges black entrepreneurs to take advantage of federal incentives for emerging industries.

“We’re in the middle of a green movement in terms of sustainability,” said Hill. “I would hope that those businesses would have chosen to go into this high growth sector.”

Whether you’re selling products to consumers or companies, Mary Parker says the real problem for black businesses is access to capital.

“Well, I believe the problem is greater in African-American businesses primarily because it was greater before the recession,” said Parker.

Parker says she’s talked with other owners who say new loans and extensions of existing ones are starting to flow from an otherwise tight lending market.
That and other issues were discussed this week at the Georgia Summit of African-American Business Organizations luncheon.