Posted: February 5, 2010

For those small, minority, women and service-disabled veteran business owners out there, resources abound to help you compete successfully.

As chair of the Virginia Beach Minority Business Council, I urge you to take advantage of these tools and programs. Many are absolutely free. Here is a profile of just one:

In 1995, Virginia Beach City Council recognized a need and created the Minority Business Council. The city harnessed community involvement to help shape its Minority Participation Contracting Program.

In 2004, City Council approved initiatives geared toward increasing participation by minority-owned, woman-owned and small businesses in city procurements and contracts. At its August 2004 retreat, minority business initiatives were identified as one of City Council's top priorities.

For the past 11 years, the MBC has hosted annual conferences and expos. During these events, awards are presented to small, woman, minority and, as of last year, disabled veteran-owned businesses.

In partnership with the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise, Virginia Department of Business Assistance and U.S. Small Business Administration, the MBC has hosted educational/networking events for minority businesses to increase awareness of city initiatives and contracting opportunities.

The city's purchasing division conducts quarterly training for vendors. In the city libraries, interested businesses can complete and return a "business survey."

The MBC Associates Program was also implemented to enable additional members of the community to participate in MBC activities as well as advance its mission and vision. The MBC continuously seeks those interested in its vision and mission to apply for membership in the program.

Virginia Beach has developed various approaches geared toward implementation of internal policies to increase diversity and inclusion with minority businesses without consultants and set-asides.

Under a memorandum of understanding, DMBE provides access to its Hampton Roads regional database of certified small, woman and minority (SWaM) businesses. These data are subsequently posted on the MBC Web site (www.vbgov.com/mbc) on a quarterly basis. It can be used by prime contractors seeking small, woman, minority and/or service-disabled veteran-owned businesses as potential subcontractors or for potential team arrangements or joint ventures. The database can also be used by small, woman, minority and disabled veteran businesses to seek out prime contractors.

City staff revised the MBC Web site to make it a better tool and resource. Internally, small purchase training is conducted and the city promotes use of an interactive CD for starting a business in Virginia Beach that Virginia Beach Economic Development provides and is available at city public libraries.

Also, internal administrative directives have been implemented and/or updated. One directive implemented a policy to enhance awareness of the need and the accountability for increasing the participation of woman- and minority-owned businesses in city procurements and contracts. This directive also was designed to foster maximum opportunities to such businesses.

As an organization, the city has made diversity and inclusion with minority businesses a priority with fewer silos and more of a team approach.

In an effort to strengthen construction, architecture and engineering, and professional contract awards or expenditures with woman- and minority-owned businesses, the city requires submittal of a woman and minority participation plan for all professional and construction contracts over $50,000.

Another key component designed to increase participation in city contracts is a resolution issued by City Council with a 10 percent goal for the city's competitive expenditures to be made to minority-owned businesses. The resolution states that 10 percent goal should apply to each category of goods and services; construction; and A&E services.

If contractors are interested in locating subcontractors, the city's minority business coordinator, Barbara Booker-Williams, can help. She can be contacted at 385-4438 or bbookerw@vbgov.com.

This is just one tool in just one city. I plan to share others to help my fellow small, women, minority and service-disabled veteran business owners to greater success.

Delceno Miles is president and CEO of The Miles Agency in Virginia Beach. She can by reached by calling 499-9627 or e-mail delceno@themilesagency.com.