INDIANAPOLIS –Mayor Greg Ballard joined members from the business and nonprofit community November 9, 2009, to address issues and opportunities facing Veteran Owned Businesses. Specifically, Mayor Ballard and the Department of Minority, Women and Veteran Business Development, hosted the events to shed light on opportunities available to business owners through the City’s Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) program.
“Our goal of increasing representation from Veteran Owned Businesses is certainly a step in the right direction, but I think we can do better and we will do better,” said Mayor Ballard. “The programs and services set forth by our administration will help increase Veterans’ access to information and resources needed to start, sustain and grow their businesses.”
In June of 2008 Mayor Ballard issued an Executive Order to provide additional economic opportunities for Veteran Owned Businesses by setting a goal of at least 3 percent of the City of Indianapolis’ total purchase of goods and services. The goal is to help men and women who return home after serving their country to start or expand their own business.
To date, Indianapolis has 31 VBE firms that have sent information to be listed on the City’s VBE vendor list. Construction projects since June have totaled approximately 16 million dollars bid (past 10 projects) with $217,000 committed to VBE firms.
Over 100 Veteran Owned Business owners attended the networking event held at the Madame Walker Theatre. Many came with business plans and ideas on how to partner with the city.
“Many of these small business owners have a great product or service, and simply need assistance to realize the resources available to them,” said Greg Wilson, Director of Minority, Women and Veteran Business Development. “Our goal is to make these opportunities known to our business owners, get them registered and working with the necessary stakeholders to promote success.”
For more information on how your business can become recognized in the City’s Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) program visit: http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DMWBD/MBE-WBE-VBE/Pages/VBEProgram.aspx
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