Ag Center hosts business, contracts conference
Small business owners and contractors participated in the Sixth Annual Connecting Businesses with Contracts Procurement Conference, March 23, at the Southern University Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union in Baton Rouge.
The conference continues to bring together potential and existing contractors, entrepreneurs and government agencies in position for business match making. Small enterprises are provided an opportunity to meet contracting officers and purchasing agents.
Attendees received information on the new Disadvantaged Business Enterprise American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Bonding Assistance Reimbursable Fee Program, as well as, Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Surety Bond Guarantee Program that can now be guaranteed for up to $5 million. General Services Administration (GSA) federal supply schedules and U.S. Department of Agricultural (USDA) food commodity contracting opportunities were explained. According to organizers, conference participants also gained a sure-fire plan to finally become proactive in marketing their business.
Representatives from the Louisiana Office of State Purchasing answered questions from individuals on programs like the Hudson and Veteran Initiatives, which help small businesses contract with State offices.
The conference was hosted by the Southern University Ag Center, the Center for Rural and Small Business Development, Louisiana Small Business Development Centers in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, U. S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center and Louisiana Economic Development.
Excerpt: Southern University News, Volume I, Issues 6, March 2010
USDA’S Hawkins Visits SU Ag Center
The Southern University Ag Center welcomed Clarence W. Hawkins, the new Louisiana State Director of USDA Rural Development, to the campus on December 17. Hawkins told the crowd that his "task is to pick up the baton and carry on, to change the paradigm, and make the philosophy a reality. "Our task is to change the negative perception of rural communities and it’s just that simple. I’m serious about accountability and I’m serious about service. Service is the rent I pay to stay here. We must build cooperations and collaborations. My hope is that Southern University continues to grow and to serve," said Hawkins. The former Bastrop mayor was appointed director by President Barack Obama in September 2009. In this capacity, Hawkins is responsible for the direction and delivery of the agency’s rural development programs in Louisiana. SU Ag Center Chancellor Leodrey Williams showed his support, saying, "we must do everything possible to give the people who are qualified and happy to live in rural parishes opportunities to thrive there. The Southern University community including interim system president Kassie Freeman along with representatives from the system and community showed their support for Hawkins and USDA.
The Center for Rural and Small Business Development at Southern University Ag Center Sponsors Annual Connecting Businesses with Contracts Procurement Conference
The Fifth Annual Connecting Businesses to Contracts Procurement Conference was held at the Southern University Smith Brown Union Cotillion Ballroom on March 24, 2009 from 8:00a.m.until 2:00 p.m. The conference began with a welcome and opening session at 8:30 a.m. Workshops started at 9:00 a.m. Topics included: Successfully Managing Your Business by the Numbers; Improving Your Presentation/Marketing Skills; Procurement/Contracting Discussion; Contracting Opportunities-Prime and Sub and How the Government Buys-Using the GSA Federal Supply Schedules.
Approximately, 600 persons attended. The conference was open to individuals, potential and existing business owners who are contractors, or non-profits in small towns and municipalities. Participants received information from presenters and exhibitors about businesses and contractors, sources of assistance, the registration and licensing process, doing business with federal government and methods of financing. They were also given the opportunity to network.
Matthew Butler , vice president of Shaw Group was the keynote speaker for the luncheon. He encouraged the entrepreneurs to be prepared as they continue their quest toward successful business ventures. Honored during the luncheon were three new entrepreneurs: Robert Selders II, Affordable Business Solutions, LLC; Deon Johnson, Inter Faith Development Center and Linda Hudson, Women of the Vine Ministries.
Other sponsors for the conference were Louisiana Economic Development; Louisiana Small Business Development Center; U.S. Small Business Administration; Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors; Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center and Communities of Color Network.
Part of the Southern University Agricultural Extension and Research Center, the Center for Rural and Small Business Development has been funded for the past fifteen years through USDA’s 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities Initiative. This cooperative agreement has allowed them the opportunity to provide management and technical assistance to many constituents in under-served rural communities.
Project SUCCEED Award Ceremony
On Monday, April 6, 2009, an Award Ceremony was held for twenty two graduates of Project SUCCEED at Bon Carre’ Business Park from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. The guest speaker for this auspicious occasion was John Matthews, Jr. of Louisiana Economic Development. He reminded the graduates that this was just the first step of a long journey and encouraged them to take advantage of the many services available throughout the state. According to Mr. Matthews, this is a great time to be an entrepreneur in Louisiana.
Gloria London and Eual Hall of the Center for Rural and Small Business Development presented Certificates and Awards and William Hawn of the Center for Social Research presented the PCO Awards. Those giving acknowledgements included: April Hawthorne for Senator Sharon Weston-Broome; Representative Regina Barrow and Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lewis. The closing remarks were provided by Ronnie Edwards, the Executive Director of Urban Restoration and Enhancement Corporation.
Three graduates, Vickie Minor, Robert Selders and Lateshia Chris Hope from the previous Project SUCCEED class came back to give updates on their businesses and to encourage the recent graduates.
A reception followed the Award Ceremony.
Sponsors and Partners in this program included: Southern University’s Center for Rural and Small Business Development and Center for Social Research; The Red Shoes; Louisiana Economic Development; Capital One and Chase Bank.
Entrepreneurial Training
The Center for Rural and Small Business Development is presently partnering with Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation (UREC) to provide entrepreneurial training (Project Succeed) to low to moderate income individuals. Other partnering agencies include: The Red Shoes, Urban Entrepreneur Partners (UEP) Gulf Coast, Southern University Center for Social Research (CSR) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The training begins on Monday, February 2nd at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Room 191 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM and culminates on March 19th with an Awards Ceremony. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to apply for certification as a small and emerging business through Louisiana Office of Economic Development.
This year graduates will also be invited to attend the Fifth Annual Connecting Businesses with Contracts Procurement Conference on March 24th from 8:00AM – 2:00 PM. A special Entrepreneurs Corner will be set up for them.
Project Succeed provides and in depth entrepreneurship training that will assist attendees to develop a business plan and learn other techniques necessary to succeed in any business venture. The following subjects will be discussed: