By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
A few spaces are left for “Tapping the Billion$: Make the Government Your Customer” event Thursday at the Holiday Inn.
“We are going to have quite a nice turnout of folks and speakers,” said Robert Van Geons, executive director of the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission, which has organized the program.
Any Rowan business interested in winning government contracts for projects created by the $787 billion federal stimulus package or the $3.6 trillion federal budget has been invited to the event.
“Hopefully, the format is something we can repeat in the future,” Van Geons said.
Representatives of more than 100 businesses already have indicated they will be attending, and that’s close to room capacity, Van Geons said.
Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. and includes a continental breakfast.
Duke Energy and the Rowan Jobs Initiative are sponsors. There is no charge.
Participants will learn how to navigate federal, state and local government procurement systems to obtain contracts. Part of the program will include Rowan County success stories in connection with government bid awards or funding.
Participants also will be able to set up meetings with procurement specialists and learn what opportunities are contained in the recent stimulus legislation and federal budget in general.
All registrants receive a “Tapping the Billion$” resource guide providing key contacts, informational links and assistance information.
People will be able to meet in break-out groups with representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. General Services Administration, N.C. Military Business Center, N.C. State Government Purchasing Office, N.C. Small Business and Technology Development Center and the N.C. Department of Transportation.
For more information, contact the EDC at 704-637-5526.