April 14th: Building Capacity & Bridging Communities
By admin | 11th March 2008
Statistics reveal that Peoria lacks in the area of minority participation in suppliers of city construction services and general procurement. Therefore, in October 2007, the Peoria City Council approved and allocated $15,000 for a small business development program to be aimed at building capacity of such local firms. The City has made a commitment to enhance diversity among suppliers of construction needs. The City plans to educate contractors on how to improve their business operations in order to enhance the likelihood of success in the bidding process.
A short-term result should be an increase in the number of minority subcontractors that can perform various scopes of work for the upcoming 2008 construction season. Another goal is to multiply networking and contract opportunities. A long-term goal is to have a sustainable model program that enhances communities, maximizes growth in employment, provide educational opportunities and stimulates business development.
This initiative has resulted in the upcoming launching event, “Building Capacity & Bridging Communities,” will be held on April 14, 2008 at the Hotel Pere Marquette. Panelists include: Senator Dan Risinger, Councilman Bill Spears, Dan Silverthorne, Councilman Clyde Gulley, Dr. Amir Al-Khafaji, and Dawn Henson. The goal is to enhance development opportunities for the target audience and open a dialogue regarding critical success factors and potential barriers. The keynote speaker will be Herman J. Russell of H.J. Russell & Co of Atlanta, Georgia.
Contact Dawn Henson, Equal Opportunity Specialist for the City of Peoria at 494-8529