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Small business owners looking to sharpen their competitive edge are discovering Florida's Minority Business Enterprise certification program. It's open to women, U.S. citizens of minority races or ethnicities and service-disabled veterans, male or female. State certification provides various benefits, but is especially known for giving businesses a better shot at going after government contracts.
Pam Oakes, owner of Pam's Motor City Automotive in south Fort Myers, said certification has helped her obtain thousands of vehicle repair and maintenance jobs since she first applied in 1999.
"Like everybody else (government agencies) have to have their vehicles fixed," Oakes said. She's personally spread the word to many local women in business, noting that: "Recession or no recession, it's always important to find ways to set your business apart from the rest."
MBE certification isn't new, but has gained new attention lately. Gov. Charlie Crist last week signed legislation requiring MBE recertification every two years, instead of yearly as was the previous requirement.
This "gives minority business enterprises more time to focus on their businesses, and less time spent on paperwork and bureaucracy," said state Sen. Al Lawson, in an opinion piece published in the Tallahassee Democrat. Read rest of story from News-Press LEARN HOW
These workshops will help you apply for state certification as a Minority Business Enterprise.
WHEN: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9.
WHERE: Southwest Florida Enterprise Center, 3901 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers.
COST: Free.
TO REGISTER: Go online to cli.fgcu.edu/sbdc/seminars.asp or call the Small Business Development Center at 745-3700. |
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