Friday, March 29, 2024
36.2 F
Chicago
HomeBusinessBusiness owners invited to Free workshop on Illinois Business Enterprise Program

Business owners invited to Free workshop on Illinois Business Enterprise Program

Published on

Will County – Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, the Will County Center for Economic Development (CED), and the State of Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion invites business owners to attend a free in-person workshop to learn about the Illinois Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and local resources. The workshop will take place on Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St., Joliet. 

The BEP Program is managed by the state and works to empower businesses owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities with opportunities to bid for government contracts. The workshop will provide an overview of the program, including vendor eligibility requirements, benefits of certification, and the process to apply and become certified. The CED will also present on local partners and resources for business. 

“I am glad we can host this event in person this year and share how the Business Enterprise Program helps our local businesses flourish,” said Bertino-Tarrant. “This Program is a vital resource for minority business owners, connecting them with a variety of public and private business opportunities.”

The BEP program helps businesses increase their capacity, grow revenue, and enhance credentials. Businesses that are BEP-certified are listed in an online directory used by State procurement officials and prime vendors, increasing their opportunity to bid on contracts with BEP goals.

“There are so many opportunities that come to Will County through the BEP program,” said Will County CED President and CEO Doug Pryor. “In 2022, Illinois awarded more than $1.2 Billion in the Business Enterprise Program and the Veterans Business Program, and we’re proud to help promote the participation of our member agencies in the State procurement process.”

To qualify for BEP certification, businesses must be at least 51% owned and controlled by persons who are minority, women, or designated as disabled. In addition, to qualify each business must have an annual gross sales of less than $150 million and be owned by a United States citizen or resident alien.

Attendance is free and registration is recommended, but not required. Interested attendees can learn more and register atwww.WillCountyCED.com.

Chicago
broken clouds
36.2 ° F
39.5 °
30.1 °
71 %
1.3mph
75 %
Fri
48 °
Sat
55 °
Sun
47 °
Mon
44 °
Tue
51 °

Latest articles

Joliet District 86 students selected for special award

Twenty-one Joliet Public Schools District 86 students received the Superintendent's Award for the second trimester of the 2023-2024 school year, with Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse presenting the awards to the students.

Americans continue to face hurdles to homeownership

Fair Housing Month highlights the disparity between Black homeownership rates and those of other racial and ethnic groups, with lower incomes, higher debt-to-income ratios, and higher closing costs as contributing factors.

Dear EarthTalk: What would a second Trump term in the White House mean for efforts to stave off cataclysmic climate change? —...

Former President Trump has made false claims about climate change and if elected to a second term, he would push for even more extreme environmental policies, potentially setting the U.S. back years in terms of climate change policy.

More like this

Romeoville welcomes three new Restaurants

Three new restaurants, Faiza, Halsted Street Dawgs, and Happy Bites, are opening or soon to open in Romeoville, offering a variety of food for the whole family to try.

Electric Bike maker coming to Romeoville

Metalrays, a manufacturer of electric bicycles, has signed a lease on a 102,000 square foot space on Southcreek Parkway and plans to be operational at the end of June.

State Rep. Natalie Manley Encourages Small Nonprofits to Apply for Grants

Small nonprofits providing food or housing assistance are encouraged to apply for a grant through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Program, which provides grants to organizations with annual budgets of $1 million or less.