YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Business Incubator has launched a new program to engage the region’s anchor institutions across several sectors — from hospitals to government to industry — to help diversify their supply chain and grow the local economy.

Newly appointed director of supply chain diversity, Karrington Griffin, will work directly with anchor institutions to incorporate small, local businesses into their supply chains.

The program also will focus on helping small- to-medium enterprises, especially from economically disadvantaged populations, adopt new technologies to increase competitiveness, assist in customer acquisition and create the infrastructure to successfully apply for bid opportunities, loans and more.

“Now more than ever, supplier diversity is a vital part of a company’s success,” Griffin said. “It’s my job to help those small businesses scale and transition to partner with larger companies starting or improving their supplier diversity program.”

Also, working with the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent for World Benefit at Case Western Reserve University, CWRU students will be provided training to assist businesses across the project area to “tech enable” their businesses.

The services include online accounting services, search engine optimization, “No Code” websites and app development, social media / marketing, use of video conferencing services, creating online sales and marketing platforms.

The first event, Brick and Mortar to Click and Order will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15. It is open to any small business looking to tech-enable their business. Register at eventbrite.com.