BALDWIN HILLS : Center to Help Fund Small Businesses

The Crenshaw Neighborhood Opportunity Center will open Wednesday as part of post-riot efforts by the Presidential Task Force on Los Angeles Recovery to fund neighborhood business ventures.

A public-private partnership of corporations, business leaders, celebrities and other investors has raised $50 million to help the growth of small businesses and joint ventures in the area, said Jim Whitehead, a task force official.

Whitehead said the center hopes to generate $1 billion for area businesses. “We want to emphasize to black folks that they can participate at a higher level in the community by starting small businesses,� he said.

The center will also offer counseling and instructional services. Information on federal, state and local programs will be available at the center at the Founders National Bank, 3910 Martin Luther King Blvd. Information: (213) 864-6663.