Several Central New York minority and women-owned businesses spent their Friday finding out how to get assistance or to expand their businesses becoming eligible to get state contracted work. Regional Opportunities Expo’s are being held across the State and came to the State Fairgrounds. Lourdes Zapata is the Executive Director of the State Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development. She says the healthiest economy has diversity.
“Women and minority owned businesses, for the most part, tend to be smaller businesses. And smaller businesses impact everything from local spending to addressing local workforce needs. They are critical to the State’s economy.”
Zappata says attendees heard about several upcoming projects in Central New York that will require Women and Minority Owned construction firms. Electrician Karen Jones is from Cicero and she came all the way from Ohio, where she currently lives, to find out how she can become certified with the State, so she can return.
“Primarily in the start-up position, I am a sole proprietor but, I have a team that’s ready and waiting until I’m at a position where I can utilize them best. I have a lot of roots with electricians from Central New York, as well.”
Zappata with the State says an unlimited source of opportunities exist for just about any kind of business.
“You know, there really isn’t any one thing these agencies are looking for. We spend millions of dollars buying food. So, that’s an opportunity for food related (minority / women owned) business. There are a number of contracts that are going out within the I.T. sector.”
Governed Cuomo announced today that a 2 million Dollar Investment Fund is being created to provide seed money to high-tech Minority and Women Owned businesses. Current businesses or Start-ups can find out how to apply for State certification with 96 agencies online (click here).