Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced a free workshop designed to help small business owners find the resources they need to be successful. “Small Business Works” will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, at the Kingsley Association located at 6435 Frankstown Avenue in Pittsburgh. The effort is a partnership among Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, U.S. Small Business Administration, Duquesne University, and Building Bridges for Business. The workshop is sponsored by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Pittsburgh Business Times, and Comcast Business Class.
“Small businesses are critical to our region’s economic recovery and success,” said Onorato. “These organizations employ tens of thousands of people directly, and they benefit other businesses through purchasing and investments. Through this partnership, we are proud to provide a resource that can offer strategies and programs to help small businesses grow and encourage new business.”
The event, which runs from, will feature guest speakers and exhibitors, in addition to providing a forum for business owners to network and share best practices. The theme of this seminar is “Tools for Small Business – 2011 and Beyond,” and will focus specifically on cost-efficient resources.
“Small businesses are the lifeline of neighborhood business districts and their success and growth is key to maintaining a livable and vibrant City,” said Ravenstahl. “Through opportunities like this, we hope to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs achieve success by educating them on the many tools and existing programs that are currently available.”
During the event, attendees will learn more about services, such as the Allegheny County Department of Minority, Women & Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MWDBE). MWDBE offers many useful services, including the Diversity Business Resource Center, an assistance service and referral center that helps business owners bid on County contracts, as well as the Working Capital Loan Program, which provides short-term capital loans to minority, women and disadvantaged firms that have secured a contract with a local, state or federal government entity.
For more information on MWDBE, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/mwdbe or call 412-350-4309.
There is no cost for registration. For more information on the event and to RSVP, go to www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.
