Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 11-12-21

Feature
Minority Business Owners Attend County Workshop
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Minority businesses often fight twice as hard against in- stitutional roadblocks .
On Thursday, November 4, 2021, many minority business owners attended a Hillsbor- ough County staff-held work- shop titled, Doing Business with Hillsborough County, which provided information and assistance for minority businesses wishing to partici- pate in the program.
The workshop was one step in the right direction to helping more minority busi- nesses do business with the now expanded County MBE/SBE department.
The primary focus of the workshop was to aid in the certification application process. Other topics were procurement opportunities; how to make connections with
prime contractors; contract compliance; and subcontract- ing and Bidding 101.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers opened the workshop. Comm. Myers emphasized the change in culture that has occurred and needs to con- tinue. She stressed that busi- nesses should leave the workshop certified for the MBE program.
Teresa Kempa, manager
of MBE SBE programs for Hillsborough County, stated the highest priority would be certification. No business can participate in MBE SBE with- out being certified.
Certification played a huge role at the workshop. There were several Hillsborough County employees there to walk participants through the certification process.
Several participants at the workshop had this to say
about the workshop: Rebecca Andrews, who
has just entered the field of construction, noted “I am looking for opportunities and to get certified for residential projects. As a contractor, I am looking to getting a leg up.”
Stevie Williams ofSte- vie’s Community Tree and Lawn commented that, “I am looking for more knowledge and assistance with develop- ment and funding through the county.”
Reginald Mungin of Picture Me Rolling Trucking was encouraged and stated, “I am excited to sign up with the county and get certified.”
Queen of Ambitious Divas ENT stated, “This work- shop was highly informative with many resources for busi- nesses. It was fun as well. I en- joyed the networking with everyone in attendance. I am looking forward to the next
workshop.”
Professor Bobbie L. Jackson of Educational and Professional Consulting Serv- ices states, “This workshop met my expectations of how to do business in Hillsborough County. I want to thank Com- missioner Myers for her hard work in making these op- portunities possible for small businesses. It was time well- spent.
One-on-one and Spanish- language assistance with ap- plications and documentation is available by calling Rita Sauri at (813) 307-8309 to schedule an appointment.
To access the certifica- tion information, readers should visit: https://- www.hillsborough county.org/en/busi- nesses/doing-business- with-hillsborough/minori ties-and-women.
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