Governor's Marketplace offers small-business connections

When people hear talk about public contracting, most assume the work is related to paving roads and building bridges.However, Eloisa Miller, Carrie Baxandall and Ruth Miles say the opportunities to provide goods and services to public agencies at all levels of government in Oregon go far beyond construction, architecture and engineering. From haircuts to guitars, state and local agencies need the types of goods and services that Oregon businesses owned by women, minorities and service-disabled veterans as well as small emerging companies and firms can provide.With the aim of helping spread that word, Miller, Baxandall and Miles are preparing for the upcoming Governors Marketplace, to be held March 20 and 21 at the Salem Convention Center.Now in its 15th year, the Marketplace offers an opportunity for small businesses to learn about contracting with public agencies. Educational sessions also provide information on business development and how small emerging businesses and businesses owned by women, minorities or service-disabled veterans can become certified in the state's COBID program.