Listen to this articleProviding Pennsylvania’s small businesses an improved understanding of the state’s procurement opportunities and available resources to capital were primary aims of the inaugural Small Business Empowerment Summit held recently in Harrisburg.
The Shapiro Administration’s measures to improve access to state contracting was another factor addressed at the summit, which was hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS). The summit featured remarks from Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Gov. Austin Davis, panel discussions led by industry professionals, and networking with Pennsylvania procurement professionals.
“DGS was honored to be able to give members of Pennsylvania’s small business community the opportunity to directly interact with our agency, our commonwealth agency partners, legislative offices, and other businesses,” DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil said in a statement. “Creating this space for collaboration and education began the process of breaking down the barriers of trust and access that exist between state government and the people we serve and reiterated the Shapiro Administration’s renewed commitment to inclusive procurement.”
Shapiro signed last month an executive order designed to improve procurement practice. DGS has reduced the time it takes to certify a small business in Pennsylvania by 33% and implemented a prompt pay policy to ensure small diverse business and veteran-owned business subcontractors receive faster payment for goods and services provided under state contracts.
DGS Deputy Secretary of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunities Kerry Kirkland said the Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunities (BDISBO) has made significant progress in simplifying the process for businesses to work with the state, increasing the number of eligible businesses in its database, and raising awareness of opportunities.
Kirkland added that more work needs to be done.
“The Small Business Empowerment Summit was a next step in connecting small businesses to the resources they need to be successful in the contracting process,” said Kirkland. “We are thankful for the support of the Shapiro Administration in moving this important work forward and look forward to putting on this event every year.”
President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce Regina Hairston called the summit an excellent opportunity to break down barriers and to provide access to information that will allow small diverse businesses to work with the state.
“The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) mission is to help Americans start and grow businesses and is focused on expanding its reach to underserved entrepreneurs and communities,” said U.S. Small Businesses Administration Harrisburg Branch Manager Solomon Wheeler. “The 2023 Small Business Empowerment Summit conducted by Pennsylvania’s Department of General Services and BDISBO was an excellent event and enabled the SBA to connect with Pennsylvania’s small businesses and fulfill that objective.”