LARGO, MD – Prince George’s County’s Office of Central Services is proud to announce the Supplier Diversity and Development Division (SD3) partnership with the People for Change Coalition on a grant in the amount of $350,000 under the Congressional Community Project Fund. This grant has been awarded on behalf of earmarked funds as a part of a larger effort by Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s program to provide resources for economic development and workforce initiatives throughout the state. The People for Change Coalition will oversee and administer the funds for small business development in coordination with the Office of Central Services’ Supplier Development and Diversity Division in order to support local, small, and diverse suppliers within Prince George’s County.
The funds became available in July with the rollout of the program scheduled for mid to late August. Program participants can look forward to a series of workshops and trainings that will focus on understanding and navigating the procurement process, developing strategic partnerships, and networking events that help foster prime and sub prime relationships. Suppliers can anticipate receiving more information on registering to join in the next week. The program will run until June 2023.
County Executive Alsobrooks has made it a priority to grow and expand services and programs which provide and promote contracting opportunities for County small and minority businesses.
“It remains important for the County to explore and implement new ways of doing business,” said Alsobrooks. “We must take an innovative approach to attracting and promoting strategic partnerships, which includes developing and providing adequate resources for our diverse suppliers within our community. This grant provides that opportunity.”
Having a “federal partner” wherein local governments are able to benefit from Congressional directed spending is paramount in refining an already full-service capacity building program where County businesses are able to access needed resources and participate in government contracting. It continues to be part of a larger goal to provide resources that build utilization and wealth in the local economy and business community. Jonathan Butler, Director of the Office of Central Services, reinforces this mission saying, “this Administration understands that contracts are the life-blood of small and minority businesses, and that successful capacity building is critical to positioning Prince George’s County small and minority businesses to win contracts.”
