U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Culver City/Crenshaw District) hosted 150 small business owners and constituents last Friday in government contracting workshop.
The forum and resource fair mobilized federal and local service providers to deliver resources to business leaders and others from Ms. Bass’s district.
Participants explored contracting for beginners, discovered what sells to government agencies, were shown how to navigate the complex contracting process, and they learned how to compete effectively and expand their businesses.
They also gained guidance on how to qualify as veteran, woman or minority-owned businesses, and found assistance to help them through the process.
Small businesses across the country did $90 billion worth of business with the federal government last year.
“The government paid these businesses for goods, professional and non-professional services, and construction projects,” said Ms. Bass. “It’s only fair that the constituents and small business owners from my district benefit as well.”
Connecting business owners to specialists who can help further their business goals “will benefit both my district and the government,” she said. “They will find capable entrepreneurs, manufacturers and retailers ready to meet government needs.”
Longtime business advocate Dorothy Randle served as moderator. She is Executive Director of the New 9th Business Center, in the Office of Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price.
Ms. Randle has played a key role in assisting hundreds of Los Angeles businesses to start up and expand.
Ms. Randle was joined by senior representatives of the Small Business Administration, and five different local business support agencies.
All pledged to be available to the community and to meet them wherever they are in their path to business development or expansion.
Ms. Bass urged constituents to contact her office for more information or to connect with any of the business support agencies who shared their expertise.
