Provides Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises with Information and Resources to Help Them Grow and Continue to Create Jobs Across the State
Events Reaches Central New York in June
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the 2017 Regional Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises Opportunities Expo Series, which will take place in the Mid-Hudson, New York City, Finger Lakes, North Country, Southern Tier and Central New York. The events will connect MWBEs with New York State agencies, expert resources, information on state projects and tools to access state opportunities.
“We know New York’s economy is strongest when we empower everyone to participate, and we are leading the nation in creating opportunities for Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises in every corner of the state,” Governor Cuomo said. “This Expo series will build on our momentum and connect talented businesses with the tools, resources and support they need to grow and succeed. I encourage all qualified entrepreneurs to visit these forums and see what opportunities are available.”
Increasing the utilization of MWBE firms in state contracting is key to the success of the MWBE program. In 2014, Governor Cuomo set the nation’s highest goal for MWBE procurement at 30 percent. For fiscal year 2015-2016, MWBEs secured $1.9 billion in State contracts and under the Governor’s leadership, more than 5500 MWBEs have been certified since 2011. During his 2016 State of the State address, Governor Cuomo pledged to increase MWBE certification by an additional 2,000 businesses – the State is on track to meet that goal by 2018.
The 2017 Regional MWBE Opportunities Expo Series, sponsored by Empire State Development’s Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development and local State partners will feature workshops and panel discussions about New York State MWBE certification and business development resources. It will include the New York State MWBE BOOT CAMP, which links regional technical assistance resources to MWBEs, such as the Small Business Development Center, Procurement & Technical Assistance Centers and the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program. The Expos will also include information about State-sponsored financial and technical assistance programs, including the New York State Surety Bond Assistance Program and the “Bridge to Success” Loan Program.
Senator James Sanders Jr. said, “As the leader of the Senate Democratic Conference’s MWBE Task Force, I believe we should be doing all we can to empower these entrepreneurs and level the playing field in a way that helps them realize their full potential. This expo series provides critical information to MWBEs about the certification process as well as available resources, and it is a worthy step forward by the Governor to meeting the state’s 30 percent MWBE contracting goal. I look forward to continuing to work with the Governor in the future to meet and exceed that goal.”
Mid-Hudson
Thursday, March 16
Marist College
Murray Student Center
3399 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
New York City
Thursday, April 13
Lehman College
Music Building
250 Bedford Park Blvd West
Bronx, NY 10468
Finger Lakes
Thursday, April 20
Rochester Educational Opportunity Center
161 Chestnut Street
Rochester, NY 14604
North Country
Thursday, May 18
Clinton Community College
Stafford Technology Center
136 Clinton Point Drive
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Southern Tier
Thursday, June 1
The Clemens Center
207 Clemens Center Parkway
Elmira, NY 14901
Central New York
Thursday, June 22
The Oncenter
800 South State Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
More information is available here.
