A recent change in state regulations will make it easier for small and minority-owned businesses to take advantage of state and federal contracting and procurement programs, Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday.
A law signed by the governor over the summer modifies Connecticut’s definition of a “small businesses enterprise” to align with federal standards. The act came into effect Oct. 1, and Lamont and other state officials say the change will help position qualifying companies in the state’s small and minority-owned business program to work with the state.
“We have been taking a significant number of steps to make sure it’s as easy as possible to do business with the state and that we have qualified, diverse contractors with which to work,” said state Chief Operating Officer and Administrative Services Commissioner Josh Geballe. “This step forward will help eliminate barriers, unnecessary paperwork and confusion surrounding the small and minority owned business program, and ultimately create more opportunities for Connecticut’s businesses.”
There are currently 2,457 businesses certified in the program; 1,367 are certified as minority-owned businesses.
State officials are also urging small and minority-owned enterprises to register with the federal System for Awards Management, which allows government agencies and contractors to search for potential partners in the private sector based on size, location, expertise, experience and ownership, among other metrics.
“My message today is simple – join us and participate in this program,” Lamont said Thursday during an appearance at Freeman Companies, a development and civil engineering firm in Hartford. “We know that the bigger the bench of experienced businesses we have to collaborate with, the more successful we can be in serving our residents.”
