Bucks County To Host June 20 Workshop

Your for-profit business may be eligible for various state and federal certifications if it is at least 51% women, minority, or veteran-owned.

On Wednesday, June 20, 2012, the County of Bucks Business Development Department, in conjunction with the Bucks County Commissioners, and the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce, continues the Fulton Bank 2012 Financial Series with Government Certification for Women, Minority, or Veteran-Owned Businesses.

Participants will learn the specific requirements and steps to apply for the free certifications. The certification may help your business in marketing your products and services to clients, government procurement departments, and with corporate supplier diversity programs. Panelists will also discuss support services that are available to economically and socially disadvantaged businesses.

The workshop will be held at the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce, 409 Hood Blvd., Fairless Hills, PA  19030.

Networking and registration begin at 8:15 a.m.

The program starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 11:00 a.m.

The certifications to be detailed by an expert panel will include:

• PA Department of General Services
• PA Unified Certification Program
• SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
• SBA Woman-Owned Small Business Set-Aside Program

Scheduled members of the panel will include:

Curtis Burwell, equal opportunity manager, Department of General Services, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Nathan Heitzman, project coordinator, DBE Supportive Services Center, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

John Banks, business development specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration

Faye M. Fitz, government marketing specialist, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Temple University Small Business Development Center.

Pre-registration is requested due to limited seating; however, there is no charge to attend the event. This will be the final presentation on Government Certification scheduled for 2012. To register for the workshop, please contact the County of Bucks Business Development Administrator, Sonia Smith, at 215-345-3839 or at srsmith@co.bucks.pa.us.

The County of Bucks Business Development department provides business start-up assistance and helps companies sustain, expand, or enter the Bucks County market.  Its free services include resource provision, workshop education, and networking opportunities. For more information about the county’s Business Development programs and offerings, please visit the official County of Bucks website, www.buckscounty.org.