UHV SBDC workshop to help minority-owned businesses get certification
Minorities who own area businesses will have the opportunity to learn how to receive a certification that will make it easier to receive government contracts at an upcoming University of Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Center workshop.
The TxHUB & CMBL Program with Application Preparation will be hosted by the UHV SBDC from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 19 at the SBDC’s new location on the fourth floor of Victoria Tower, 1908 North Laurent St. The workshop will be presented by Bobby Maribal, a certified procurement professional from the Del Mar College Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
“This training is a wonderful opportunity for people who own a business and want to pursue contracts with the state and other government entities,” UHV SBDC director Joe Humphreys said. “In addition, attendees will have the opportunity at the workshop to begin their application with help from the SBDC.”
HUB stands for Historically Underutilized Businesses. To be a HUB, a business must be for-profit; below a certain size; mainly operate in Texas; and be at least 51 percent owned by an Asian Pacific American, Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, American woman or service disabled veteran who lives in Texas and actively participants in the business’ control, operations and management.
Businesses that receive the certification are more likely to be considered for local, state and federal government contracts and will be included in the Centralized Master Bidders List. The list functions as a directory of HUB-certified businesses.
“This workshop is an excellent opportunity to encourage diversity and growth in the Victoria business community,” said Farhang Niroomand, dean of the UHV School of Business Administration. “By offering training to historically underutilized businesses, the UHV SBDC is helping the community economy grow. I hope many entrepreneurs take advantage of this opportunity.”
The UHV SBDC recently has heard from several business clients interested in becoming HUB certified, said Mark Martinez, a UHV SBDC business advisor. Certification and being added to the CMBL opens up new sources of revenue for businesses. Even if businesses start by receiving small contracts, those can open the way for larger projects in the future.
“There’s a significant benefit for business owners who can become certified and be added to the list,” Martinez said. “Many state agencies and other groups look at the directory when searching for contractors, and some government grants and contracts require the use of HUB services.”
The application process is free, and certifications are good for up to four years.
To register for the workshop, contact the UHV SBDC at 361-485-4485, 877-895-7232 or sbdc@uhv.edu. Participants also can sign up through the SBDC website at www.uhvsbdc.com.
The UHV SBDC is part of a nationwide small business assistance program that serves the small business community in partnership with federal, state and local governments. The center offers business advising, training and technical assistance to existing and start-up businesses in an 11-county area.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
