BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

There’s no one more interested in seeing Black business owners in West Tampa prosper than Bennie Small. Small, President of the West Tampa Black Business Owners Association, said talk about what’s in the future for West Tampa, definitely got his attention.

“I envisioned Main Street and the surrounding areas returning to their days of glory when there were a lot of successful businesses in the area.

“However, I quickly discovered that’s not the way things always turn out.”

Small, who has been attending meetings hosted by the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce, West Tampa Community Group, and other groups, said what he’s heard so far hasn’t inspired him to believe that Black businesses are going to fare any better than they have.

“I’m working closely with the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce as they prepare to submit their plan to the City Council. My primary interest is that business opportunities become available to all of us when they start redeveloping our community.

“I think because everything is in a preliminary stage, this is the time to put our demands on the table, and make sure we get our share of work. We can provide a lot of jobs with these projects, and that would be beneficial to everyone.”

Small said the first priority is to identify all of the professional service businesses in West Tampa, such as electricians, masons, plumbers, lawn maintenance, and light construction.

“We need to start training young men now as professionals and help them get licensed and bonded.

“We have a responsibility to prepare the next generation, because that’s the only way we will be able to sustain what we’re trying to get.”