The Office of Small Business Affairs will hold a Business Development Resource Forum on Wednesday, November 18, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the 4th floor training room at the Historic Macon Terminal Station (200 Cherry Street). The event is open to all local business owners in all sectors, including Minority Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.
 
“We want to provide local small business owners access to resources that will give them a competitive edge when seeking contracts in our region, as well as with the consolidated government,” says Small Business Affairs Director Dr. James Bumpus.
 
The first part of the Forum will feature presentations by business development agencies from across the state, and the second part gives business owners the chance to talk directly with the resource providers. The Macon-Bibb Attorneys Office will present information regarding to Title VI Compliance, and the Business Development Services Department will discuss business license compliance.

Each of the participating organizations specialize in areas of business development, including:

-Central Georgia Technical College – Offers an array of degree, continuous education and certificate programs to business owners.

-NOW Crop – A micro-lender offering business owners access to capital.

-Georgia Tech Enterprise and Innovation Institute – Provides MBE, WBE, and DBE certification and works with business owners interested in being awarded federal, state, and local government contracts.

-University of Georgia Small Business Development Center – Helps business owners develop their business plan, business model, and financial projections.

-Georgia Minority Development Council – Works primarily with businesses interested in providing goods, supplies, and services to major corporations in the private sector and offer MBE, WBE, DBE certification.

-Operation HOPE – Offers a Human Financial Dignity Program that works with individuals and communities to improve credit worthiness and access to financial capital.

-SCORE – Offers business owners confidential business mentoring, local business development workshops, and expert resources available on-line.

-Georgia Department of Administrative Services – Provides DBE and MBE certification and other resources for businesses interested in state contracts.