Free Opportunity for Small Businesses Interested in Certification Processes Necessary to do Business with Federal, State, and Local Governments
What: One-Stop Business Certification Panel Discussion
Who: City of Durham’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development Small Business Advisory Committee and the Equal Opportunity & Equity Assurance Department
When: Thursday, November 15, 2012, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: City Hall Council Chambers
101 City Hall Plaza, 1st Floor
Durham, N.C. 27701
Fast Facts
• This panel discussion is designed to help small business owners understand if they qualify, and how they apply for the following certifications: U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8a Certification and the HUB Zone Certification Program; the N.C. Statewide Uniform Certification Program; the N.C. Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Certification Program; and the City of Durham’s Equal Business Opportunity Program. Certifications provide increased exposure to the general public, as well as other entities that have a supplier diversity program and are searching for minority and woman-owned businesses.
• Subjects to be covered include: the benefits of the Small Business Association’s 8a program to small businesses including: mentoring, procurement assistance, business counseling, training, financial assistance, surety bonding, and other management and technical assistance; the competitive advantage for businesses listing in the HUB Vendor Directory and the E-Procurement database for Government contracting and subcontracting opportunities; benefits of the City’s Equal Business Opportunity Program and the Durham-Based Business Plan.
• Panelists include Dan Lucero from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s N.C. District Office; Grover Burthey from the N.C. Department of Administration HUB Office; and Angela Henderson from the City’s Equal Opportunity & Equity Assurance Department. Dr. Terri Rowland with the City’s Small Business Advisory Committee will serve as the moderator.
• The cost to attend the panel discussion is free. However, seating is limited, so interested attendees should reserve their spot by Wednesday, November 14 by emailing SBAdvisory@DurhamNC.gov or calling Thomas Leathers, economic development coordinator with the City’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development, at (919) 560-4965, ext. 15238.
About the Office of Economic & Workforce Development
Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the Office of Economic & Workforce Development helps ensure that Durham has a strong and diverse economy by increasing the city’s tax base through several revitalization initiatives, including new development efforts in the central city area. The department also plans and promotes cultural awareness and events, identifies and recruits target industries as well as assesses and trains Durham residents to fill new jobs. For information, visit www.DurhamEconomicDevelopment.org,“like” on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DurhamOEWD, or “follow” on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/DurhamOEWD.
About the Equal Opportunity & Equity Assurance Department
The City of Durham’s Equal Opportunity & Equity Assurance Department is responsible for the implementation of the City's Equal Business Opportunity Program. Responsibilities include implementation of race and gender neutral measures to facilitate the participation of Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SDBE) in City contracting activity, recruitment, certification, and maintenance of SDBE data bank, business development, City project compliance, monitoring, and reporting. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the department ensures that its services support making Durham a great place to live, work, and play by focusing on a strong and diverse economy, assuring that City efforts are well managed, and supporting the stewardship of the City’s physical assets. To learn more, visit http://durhamnc.gov/ich/as/eoea/Pages/Home.aspx.