Small business represents 75 percent of all new jobs in the United
States, which helps to drive the American economy. Earlier this
month, United States Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) addressed more
than 300 business owners from throughout New England, citing examples
of how government contracts can help businesses grow and add jobs.
She noted that companies doing business with the government typically
find that it takes time, connections and persistence to get contracts,
which often makes it intimidating for new companies. However, once
small businesses establish relationships with the government, owners
find the contracts are a steady, reliable source of income.
Her remarks came at HUD's New England Business Economic Development
Conference in Portland, Maine, which was designed to provide small,
women-owned, veteran-owned and disadvantaged businesses with the
tools to participate in the government contracting process. This
free conference, which was hosted by HUD in conjunction with other
federal and state agencies, included workshops, information tables,
and one-on-one networking meetings.
One business owner wrote to HUD after the event, "We have
been trying since December to make sense of the maze in becoming
a federal supplier. This conference has been the best investment
we have made with our time - it was worth the two-hour drive
here!"
The federal government will spend in excess of $230 billion in
goods and services this year, and the law requires federal agencies
to grant 23 percent of its contracts to small businesses. Since
December, 2001, HUD has awarded 52 percent of its contracts to small
businesses.
The successful New England Business Economic Development Conference
will be followed by similar events throughout the country.
![[Photo 1: Regional Director Kevin Keogh shakes hands with Senator Collins]](hgv-picw-shared-2003-08-26a.jpg)
![[Photo 2: A conference attendee discusses opportunties with a representative]](hgv-picw-shared-2003-08-26b.jpg)
![[Photo 3: A.Jo Baylor and Kevin Keogh awaits for people]](hgv-picw-shared-2003-08-26c.jpg)
![[logo: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity]](/images/fheo50.gif){kind=small}