Durham's small local businesses are an essential part of the city. Many of them have been around for generations and hold a special place in the hearts of Durham natives as well as newcomers to the area. The Durham SEED Legacy Program hopes to preserve these businesses, and make sure that they can continue to grow for many years.
Durham Legacy Business Registry
The Durham Legacy Business Registry was created so that residents and community leaders in Durham can recognize and honor our historic businesses, while providing educational and promotional assistance to ensure their continued viability and success.
A Durham Legacy Business is defined as:
a business located in Durham (City and County) that has been consecutively in operation (without breaks) for 20 or more years
the business is independently owned and operated and has less than 20 employees
the business has a community and cultural connection, is accessible, and interested in a long-term presence in Durham
If you think the criteria above apply to your business, register today for the Durham Legacy Business Registry!
Benefits to Participating in Durham Legacy Business Registry
Access to 101 confidential legacy technical assistance.
Attendance at the monthly legacy lunch connections meeting.
Invitation to participate in the legacy masterclass.
Each business will get a Durham Legacy Gift box (includes: official recognition letter as a Durham legacy business, window sticker acknowledging your legacy status, wall plaque, lapel pin).
Celebrated on digital media platforms.
What is SEED?
The Shared Equity in Economic Development (SEED) Program seeks to preserve traditionally underutilized businesses, including minority- and women-owned businesses, and expand small business ownership by encouraging business retention, business stabilization, business succession planning, and supporting the conversion of Legacy Businesses to Employee/Worker ownership.
Durham's Legacy: 150 Years of Entrepreneurship
Durham has a rich history of entrepreneurship, represented in large part by Black Wall Street. In the early 1900s, the African-American owned businesses lining Parish Street gained national attention while generating knowledge, skills, wealth, and collective economic development for African-Americans at a time when they were typically excluded from mainstream opportunities.
Many legacy businesses remain in Durham today, and are vital to the community fabric. This is why the City of Durham believes it is in the best interest of its residents and local economy to preserve these traditionally underutilized business through the efforts of the SEED Legacy Program.
Click Here to Read More About the History of the Program