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EPA's upcoming small business and jobs conference aimed at helping veterans

Release Date: 11/03/2006
Contact Information: Anne Rowan, (312) 353-9391, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 06-OPA204

CHICAGO (Nov. 3, 2006) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 and The Young Entrepreneurs of the Universe will co-sponsor the third annual Veteran's Small Business and Job Creation Conference next week at EPA offices in downtown Chicago. The conference is free but participants must register in advance by phone or e-mail.

TIME: 9 am - 3 pm

DATE: Nov. 8 and 9

PLACE: 12th Floor Conference Center
Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building
77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Ill.

REGISTRATION: Contact Adrianne Callahan, EPA Region 5's Coordinator at (312) 353-5556 or [email protected] to register.

"I am convinced that this conference gives veterans essential tools to market the strong technical capabilities that small businesses have to offer," said Assistant Regional Administrator Norm Niedergang.

Last year's conference attracted more than 75 small businesses, mostly owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans. EPA's small business outreach efforts are accelerating to help more veterans reach their economic goals.

The first day will focus on equipping veterans with valuable user-friendly information about government grant programs. EPA will also provide an overview of specific grant opportunities and conduct practical exercises on preparing successful grant proposals.

The second day focuses on government contracts. EPA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization will provide information on how to win contracts from state and local governments and large businesses. A hands-on workshop on how to respond to a Request for Proposals will include speakers, advice and exhibits from U.S. General Services Administration, U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (PTAC), U.S. Government Printing Office, Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and other agencies.