Buyers from various State agencies connected with the small business community in Maryland’s Mid-Shore region yesterday during the Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop held at Chesapeake College in Wye Mill – the first of its kind on the Mid-Shore. Attendance exceeded expectations, drawing nearly 90 small business owners and entrepreneurs.
“Doing business with the State of Maryland is desirable to many small businesses,” said Jimmy Rhee, special secretary of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs. “We created this program to share insightful tips for navigating the procurement process and connect vendors with buyers. Our intention is to ensure the process is completely open, accessible, and transparent.”
This multi-faceted workshop, which highlights that the Hogan Administration is Open for Business, is hosted by the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs at locations around the state.
During the workshop, participants get an overview of the State’s procurement programs designed to provide opportunities for small, minority, women, and veteran owned businesses and learn how to access the State’s contracting pipeline. Buyers from the participating agencies identify what they are buying right now, and what is in their pipeline. Vendors can meet with those buyers one-on-one during the open networking session. Small business organizations also participate, providing access to organizational, financial, and managerial resources.
“Our goal is to give small businesses, including those owned by minorities and women, the tools and resources they need to compete with confidence for prime and subcontracting opportunities in the public sector,” said Secretary Rhee.
In celebration of Black History Month, two local businesses received Governor’s Citations during the event. Brian & Michele Tyler of Market Street Public House and Vernetta Pauls Sherman of Thomas H. Pauls, LLC were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the community at large.
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About the Governor’s Office for Children
As a coordinating office for Governor Larry Hogan, the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs connects the small business community to greater economic opportunities.
