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Open House for Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

http://2cccd5dfe1965e26adf6-26c50ce30a6867b5a67335a93e186605.r53.cf1.rackcdn.com/Minority Wrap_0.mp3

Women and minority business owners can receive some tips on how to better compete for government contracts.

Allegheny County’s Department of Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWDBE) will host its ninth annual Open House tomorrow evening from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Liberty Room of the Human Services Building at One Smithfield Street downtown.  

Department Director Ruth Byrd-Smith said the Open House will be an opportunity for businesses to hear from County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, network with other departments and businesses, and learn how to become certified to do business with government as minority, women-owned, or disadvantaged enterprises.  

"We examine them to make sure they meet the criteria.  We also have a few small loan programs at Allegheny County," Byrd-Smith said.  "We try to make businesses attractive so they can, after leaving those programs, get mainstream financing, so technical assistance is part of our repertoire."  

The department helps businesses learn the kinds of things their clients will expect to see and hear from them, according to Byrd-Smith. "MWDBE works to ensure that minority-owned, woman-owned and disadvantaged businesses have the best opportunities to compete for contracts with the county and other local governments and public agencies."

She said the department takes affirmative action to correct historic under-utilization of such firms.  Byrd-Smith reported about 600 certified companies to date.  Anyone wishing to attend may RSVP by phone at 412-350-4309 or by emailing RSVP-MBE@alleghenycounty.us