Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs Connects Entrepreneurs to State Contracting Opportunities
Annapolis, MD – The Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs conducted its signature Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop today in Anne Arundel County. The event, which featured 20 state purchasing units, drew more than 250 small, minority, women, and veteran business owners and entrepreneurs interested in contracting opportunities.
“This workshop connects buyers and sellers,” said the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs Special Secretary Y. Maria Martinez. “It is the fundamental starting point which many vendors are looking for as they explore opportunities in the state’s contracting arena.”
The program provides an overview of Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE), and Small Business Reserve (SBR) procurement programs and offers insights on how to navigate procurement processes.
During the program, six successful small business owners received a citation from Governor Wes Moore in recognition of their contributions to Maryland’s statewide economy.
- Enyinna Anthony – Anthony Management Group, LLC
- Silvia Campana – Image Creators Salon and Spa
- Adrian Krell, II – Biomedical Waste Services, Inc.
- Trey Krell – Biomedical Waste Services, Inc.
- Harry Salmoran – Senor Chile Café
- Paula Keys-Tilghman – Absolute Supply and Services, LLC
Following the program, vendors met with buyers from state agencies, county units, and LIVE! Casino Maryland during an open networking session. Each purchasing unit identified what they are buying now and what is in the pipeline.
“We are so pleased to partner with LIVE! Casino & Hotel Maryland for the third consecutive year to offer this workshop in Central Maryland,” said Special Secretary Y. Maria Martinez of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs. “This opportunity is extremely beneficial for our MBE, VSBE, and SBR vendors to meet with buyers face-to-face.”
The Governor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs conducts four Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshops annually. For more information about upcoming workshops, visit the Ready, Set, GROW! webpage at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov.
