• Provides technical, financial and management information assistance to small, minority and women owned businesses. BERO’s main office is located in Nashville with regional offices in Memphis and Knoxville.
• Focuses on four main areas of development to achieve its mission:
  • providing technical assistance (business planning, licensing, certification, financial assistance, expansion assistance and other special needs).
  • assisting with procurement opportunities
  • driving manufacturing initiatives and
  • creating export opportunities.
• Works in close partnership with the Governor's Office of Diversity Business Enterprise (http://www.tennessee.gov/businessopp/)in its mission to expand procurement opportunities for small, minority and women owned businesses that wish to do business with the State of Tennessee.
• Has a designated director of small manufacturing initiatives whose goal is to identify and create partnering opportunities between small and large manufacturers by facilitating business to business matching; advocating and connecting small manufacturers with companies and government agencies; creating a manufacturers’ resource directory which includes financial information; and coordinating with federal and local government agencies, trade associations and community organizations.
• BERO, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the International Trade Centers, Tennessee Small Business Development Centers and other local agencies, assists small businesses throughout the state to export their goods and services through the Trade Roots program.

History: In 2002, BERO had 1 staff person responsible for the entire state; Today, BERO has 6 full-time and 1 part-time staff in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville.

Mission: Expand economic opportunities for disadvantaged businesses by providing information on procurement opportunities, loan programs, and development opportunities with Tennessee private industry and government entities.