Lieutenant Governor Addresses Women and Minority Owned Businesses About Contract Opportunities

Denn and state agency representatives hold forum on federal stimulus related opportunities

For Immediate Release: Friday, October 02, 2009

Wilmington - Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and representatives from state agencies held a forum on Thursday, October 1, to provide tips to women and minority owned businesses seeking opportunities under the federal stimulus package. The workshop was held during the City of Wilmington's Mega Bizfest conference for women and minority business owners.

"The Governor and I are working hard every day to get Delaware's economy going again and to create good jobs," Denn said. "Businesses owned by women and minorities are an important part of Delaware's economy and can play a large role in our future prosperity. That's why we are determined to make sure those businesses are aware of every opportunity they may have from the federal stimulus package."

Denn and state agency representatives provided several tips to attendees, including:

• Reviewing the state transportation agency's web site (www.deldot.gov) to determine which major contractors have requested bid packages for stimulus funded road projects. Although many DelDOT projects exceed the capacity of small businesses, the general contractors who win the bids for these projects are required to seek out women and minority owned businesses as subcontractors. Marketing a small business to the general contractors who are considering bidding on major road projects can give women and minority owned businesses new opportunities.

• Taking advantage of new credit and bonding opportunities made available by the federal stimulus bill through the Small Business Administration. Because of the stimulus bill, many small businesses that were previously ineligible for SBA-backed loans are now eligible, many who were previously eligible only for small amounts of credit can now get larger loans, and small firms can get help obtaining bonds that are often necessary to bid on construction work.

• Seeking out opportunities in energy conservation work and educational support work, two of the areas where Delaware has received significant new funds from the federal stimulus bill that will ultimately make its way to private businesses.

• Obtaining both state and federal certification as a disadvantaged business enterprise, in order to ensure eligibility for all programs that have DBE hiring goals.

The forum featured representatives from the state's energy office, transportation department, economic development, and the Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprise. The workshop was videotaped and will be posted on the state's recovery website - www.recovery.delaware.gov.