Norton Small Business Fair Offers Ways to Help Small Businesses Through Tough Times

Norton Small Business Fair Offers Ways to Help Small Businesses through Tough Times

Tuesday

WASHINGTON, DC - As the economy begins recovery, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host experts to offer advice on new federal benefits for small businesses, including tax credits to help small businesses to provide healthcare for their employees, hire unemployed individuals, and for start-up expenditures at her annual free "Access to Capital Fair," Tuesday, April 6, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W. The Congresswoman will welcome approximately 37 banks, credit unions, and federal agencies with contracts to let, and 400 Washington small businesses at 9 a.m. in room 150. She also will introduce her "Small Business of the Year" winner, Regional Contracting Services, a woman-owned, minority, D.C. business that specializes in rough carpentry, fire-stopping, insulation, and building supplies.The company recently landed a substantial contract on the DHS construction project, where 40 percent of the pre-construction contracts went to small, minority-owned, and disadvantaged businesses. Norton said "I am proud that a D.C. business has demonstrated just how well D.C. can do in the competition for a piece of the DHS mega contract. The statistics already show significant small business success on the DHS project should encourage our local businesses that in a fair competition, they can win."

The Fair, organized to provide a forum for D.C. residents and small businesses to learn about new Small Business Administration initiatives, learn how to develop a business plan, find economic resources, and contract with the federal government, willbegin with speakers: Small Business Administration Supervisor of Business Development Specialist Loretta Taylor, who will discuss SBA initiatives and small business opportunities available through the stimulus package; General Services Administration Contracting Officer Bonnie Echoles, who will give an up-date on contracting results and opportunities for small businesses at the new U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Headquarters construction site; Wells Fargo/Wachovia Business Banking Manager David Gatling, who will discuss services his bank offers to small businesses; and Internal Revenue Service Senior Tax Specialist Marie Wright, who will discuss tax credits and energy incentives for small businesses. Workshops will include: how to identify SBA programs and services to assist with starting and growing a business venture (11 a.m.-noon, room 150); how the SBA can help small businesses do business with the federal government" (11 a.m.-noon, room 151); how to find money, loan programs, the application process, eligibility criteria, and what the lender looks for in a successful applicant" (12:45 - 1:45 p.m., room 150); and the District of Columbia's procurement process works (12:45-1:45 p.m.). Participants will get one-on-one advice and technical assistance from federal government contracting officers, bank loan officers, and Small Business Administration specialists. Participants can apply for some loans on the spot, get information on SBA financial assistance programs, and learn about government procurement.