Open for business: Program promotes small-business opportunities
Posted August 20, 2009
Lorain County event is latest Sewer District Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program inititative
Lorain County, Ohio | August 19, 2009 - Yesterday afternoon, about 40 small business owners from Lorain County huddled into the John A. Spitzer Conference Center (Lorain Community College) to learn how to secure work with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. The District's Certification Workshop for its Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program was one in a series conducted for local businesses in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, and Summit counties.
The District established a SBE program to offer local companies more opportunities to compete for District work as prime contractors, subcontractors, consultants or providers of goods and services. "We will spend over $120 million on construction, goods and services in 2009 alone. It would be fiscally irresponsible if we didn't open up some of that business to the local economy," said District Contract Compliance Manager Tiffany Jordan.
Lorain Community College and the Urban League co-sponsored the event. President and CEO of the Lorain County Urban League Fred Wright served as master of ceremonies. He emphasized that "the Urban League is proud to sponsor the District's Certification Workshop because we recognize that small businesses are an important part of our community."
Jordan was joined by representatives from Lorain County Community College, Northern Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council and the Great Lakes Innovation & Development Enterprise (GLIDE). Each institution had either procurement opportunities or business assistance to offer participants as well.
The District's SBE program transitioned from a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)/Women¿s Business Enterprise (WBE) program to one that is race and gender neutral and has been in effect since June 1. Vendors certified as MBE/WBE maintain their status but must apply for SBE certification prior to receiving SBE contracts. New and existing vendors must complete an online registration form to have a greater opportunity to enter into future contracts.
Small businesses that would like to apply for the District's SBE program may download an application from the District's website or call Tiffany Jordan at (216) 881-6600 for more information.
"Our ultimate goal is to contribute to the economic health and vitality of the region," said Director of Administration and External Affairs Constance Haqq. "We feel our Small Business Enterprise Program is a step in the right direction."
For additional information, please contact Communications & Community Relations Manager Kim Jones at 216-881-6600 ext. 6882.
