[Durham INC] Durham Offers New Small Business Workshop Series

Mon Jul 18 11:20:23 EDT 2011

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

News Release

For Details, Contact:

Amy Blalock

Sr. Public Affairs Specialist

(919) 560-4123 x 11253

(919) 475-7735 (cell)

Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2011

Durham Offers New Workshop Series for Small Businesses

Year-Long Services Designed to Support Small Business Growth and Development; First Seminar Set for July 28th 

DURHAM, N.C. - Small businesses in Durham looking for a way to grow should mark their calendars now for a new series of free seminars designed to teach them some of the ins-and-outs of successful small business management.

The City's Equal Opportunity/Equity Assurance Department is providing new technical assistance services to local, small businesses for this fiscal year. According to Deborah Giles, director of the City's Equal Opportunity/Equity Assurance Department, the goal is to provide useful training sessions to support the growth and development of small businesses. "Given the current economy and the toll it has taken on our small businesses, we wanted to put together a series of workshops that will feature City staff from a variety of disciplines and other local professionals, each offering invaluable information as to how a business should approach contracting opportunities with a governmental entity and things to consider to enhance and grow their business," Giles said. "All of the seminars will be free and open to all small businesses in Durham, not just City-certified small disadvantaged businesses or businesses doing business with the City." 

Following is the schedule for the year-long series. Unless otherwise noted, all workshops will be held in City Council Chambers, located on the first floor of City Hall at 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham. 

Thursday, July 28, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ― City Council Chambers

"How to Do Business with the City of Durham"

This seminar is designed to provide information on the City of Durham purchasing process. This includes information on the City's procurement; services and construction processes; vendor registration; how to access business opportunities; and points of contact. The training will be conducted by professionals from the City's Purchasing Division in the Finance Department, General Services Department, Public Works Department, Water Management Department, and Transportation Department.

Thursday, September 29, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ― City Council Chambers

"Technical and Financial Small Business Assistance Programs" 

This training will be conducted by Mary Speight, assistant regional director for the Small Business Development & Technology Center (SBDTC) located at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). This training will familiarize local small businesses with financial and technical assistance offered by the SBDTC in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All SBDTC assistance programs will be discussed with opportunities to ask questions and seek appointments for future follow-up.

Thursday, November 17, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ― City Council Chambers

"Growing Your Business" 

This training will be conducted by business development professionals from the N.C. Institute of Economic Development. The class will discuss how to develop and write a business plan. There will be a discussion of the business plan's importance, function, components, and how it is structured. There will also be a discussion on cash flow management and its role in business finance and operations.

Every Tuesday from February 14, 2012 to April 17, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ― Skanska USA Building, 4309 Emperor Blvd., Suite 200, Durham

"Scheduling and Estimating"

This training will be conducted in partnership with Skanska USA Building, and will concentrate on enhancing the scheduling and estimating skills of small construction business owners. This training will extend for 10 weeks and will be conducted on site at Skanska's location on Emperor Boulevard. Highlights of the training will include: blueprint reading, construction plans and specifications, construction bid documents, quantity take-offs, pricing, and computer-estimating programs.

Thursday, April 26, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ― City Council Chambers

"Information Technology for Small Businesses" 

Conducted by information technology (IT) professionals, this training is designed to offer insight into IT tools and business applications and how these tools can best benefit and enhance the operations of the small business. 

Thursday, June 28, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ― City Council Chambers

"Bonding and Insurance for Small Businesses"

This training will be conducted by bonding and insurance professionals with the N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development. The bonding process and requirements will be explained. The different types of bonds and their costs will also be discussed, including general liability and workers compensation. Information on local organizations that provide bonding assistance to small businesses will also be provided. 

Participants are required to register for each seminar by visiting the City's website at  www.DurhamNC.gov/Departments/Equal/Training_Request.cfm  or by contacting Vincent Wingate, senior equal opportunity/equity assurance specialist with the City's Equal Opportunity/Equity Assurance Department, by e-mail at Vincent.Wingate at DurhamNC.gov or by calling (919) 560-4180, extension 17241.

About the Equal Opportunity/Equity Assurance Department

The City of Durham's Equal Opportunity/Equity Assurance Department is responsible for the implementation of the City's Equal Business Opportunity Program. Responsibilities include implementation of race and gender neutral measures to facilitate the participation of Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SDBE) in City contracting activity, recruitment, certification, and maintenance of SDBE data bank, business development, City project compliance, monitoring, and reporting. To learn more, visit www.DurhamNC.gov/Departments/Equal <http://www.DurhamNC.gov/Departments/Equal/> . 

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