The State of California spent over $2,700,000,000 with CA Certified Small Businesses in 2007. Whoa! Okay, my eyebrows went up, did yours? California small businesses have an incredible opportunity to do business with the state for products and services of all kinds. 28% of the state’s $9.4 Billion budget went to certified small businesses, exceeding the 25% legislative requirement. Has California government done its job for SB? Yes. Have they made it easy to get certified? Again, yes.
The once lengthy certification process now is a 20 minute online application. 20 minutes gives you a license to fish the seas of opportunity from commodity products like pencils to huge construction project like the Bay Bridge. There are over 16,000 small businesses holding certification, all going after their fair share. Eric Mandell of Department of General Services says certification grew from 12,000 businesses in 2007 to over 16,000 in 2008. “We’ve made the signup process the way it should be, fast and easy,” says Mandell. “It’s definitely helped grow the number of certified small businesses which gives the state more options to meet the 25% requirement.”
As private sector spending looks to tighten, state services still need to be provided giving certified small businesses ample opportunity to generate sales. If you own a small business in California, you may want to consider certification.
For requirements and signup details, visit: http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus/default.htm
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