KALAMAZOO ? A June 9 forum on Business Opportunities will teach local businesses how to become a public sector vendor ? and tap into millions of dollars available in government contracts. The free public forum will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center at WMU?s Business Technology and Research Park.
The event is designed to give those attending information about how to sell goods or services to governmental units ranging from local public school districts to federal agencies. The forum will provide opportunities for business representatives to meet one-on-one with buyers from a variety of state and local agencies and they are encouraged to bring business cards and other information to make the most of the networking opportunities. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Information will be available on a number of topics, including how to register with the state as a vendor; accessing electronic bidding systems; how to bid on construction projects for the departments of Transportation and Management and Budget; how state and local agencies buy goods and services; opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms; and, how to become a pre-qualified construction contractor or consultant. Sponsors of the event are: Southwest Michigan First, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Southwest Michigan Technical Assistance Center, the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Technology and Development Center, and the Department of Defense.
Under the umbrella of Southwest Michigan First, the Southwest Michigan Technical Assistance Center offers free assistance to area companies interested in doing business with the government. In 2004, the center director, Michael Black, and his staff helped business secure more than $23 million in government contracts for west Michigan.
For additional information about the forum, call Jan Campbell of the Southwest Michigan Technical Assistance Center at (269) 372-3942.
