Several business owners attended a special event on Nov. 13 at the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center to verify qualification for status as a minority and/or women-owned business enterprise, the Savannah Morning News reported on Nov. 14.
Certification specialists were on hand to guide applicants through the process and provide information on procurement opportunities.
An important activity of the program is to increase the participation of those businesses in city of Savannah procurement opportunities.
The city sets participation goals on large projects and awards millions of dollars to these companies every year. Certification for M/WBE status will become a mandatory requirement for M/WBE firms to participate in city procurement activities in 2010.
Businesses that already have certification from recognized agencies, such as the Department of Transportation, U.S. Small Business Administration or Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, still need to apply, but can be fast-tracked through the process.
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