MOLINE, Ill. — Mercado on 5th has hired Moline native Frances Williams as their new executive director.
Williams' worked with Mi Casa Resource Center in Denver, Colorado, for three and a half years where she led the only Women's Business Center in the state for the Small Business Administration as a Senior Director of Pathways.
“My passion is to assist other entrepreneurs in launching their own formalized businesses that can not only build wealth and prosperity for themselves but also future generations. Coming back to the Quad Cities and being able to continue that mission through Mercado is a blessing,” Williams said.
Mercado on 5th focuses on supporting small-scale entrepreneurship, especially minority-owned. Since Mercado started, they have helped to start over 60 new businesses in the Quad Cities. They plan to have their season opener on May 24.
“Becoming a new steward to the mission of Mercado is something I am quite excited and honored to continue,” Williams shared. “Having places where the minority entrepreneurs can get education, support and celebration of who they are and where they are in their journey is key to economic growth and prosperity. Mercado’s place and influence in Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa will continue to grow.”
Williams is a graduate of Alleman High School. She studied International Business, and Finance and Business Administration at Northern Illinois University, Black Hawk College and Saint Mary's College.
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