Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller Joins Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran Entrepreneurs at Business Development Workshop

Business Owners Network with Buyers from 16 State Agencies

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs today hosted its signature Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop for small, minority, women, and veteran business owners at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill. Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller delivered the keynote address and recognized three outstanding small business owners.

“Today, we celebrate the success and excellence of the small, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses who call Maryland home, and explore ways to increase our partnerships moving forward," said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Maryland's well-educated workforce and high-quality academic and economic institutions make our state a hub for small business owners and entrepreneurs. We must ensure all small business owners have equitable access to the unique opportunities our state has to offer."

Lt. Gov. Miller presented Governor’s Citations to three outstanding small business owners - Dr. Minoo Bennett (Green Technology, Inc), Myke Jones (Dynamic Service Integration, Corp.), and John Walters (Walters Relocations, Inc.) - for their contributions to the statewide economy as well as the communities they serve.

Lt. Gov. Miller presented Governor's Citations to three outstanding small business owners for their contributions to the statewide economy as well as the communities they serve. The honorees are:

Dr. Minoo Bennett – Green Technology, Inc.
Myke Jones – Dynamic Service Integration, Corp.
John Walters – Walters Relocations, Inc.

Over 200 business owners attended the workshop which included an overview of the state's three socioeconomic procurement programs and insights on navigating the state's procurement processes. During the networking portion, vendors were able to meet with buyers from 16 different state purchasing units who provided information on what they are purchasing now as well as what is in the pipeline.

“Understanding the State of Maryland as a customer is an important key to success in this competitive arena," said Pamela Gregory, Chief of Staff with the Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs." “We are pleased to partner with MGM National Harbor to bring vendors and buyers together in the same room."

The Ready, Set, GROW! workshop is a component of the Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs' outreach programming which also includes monthly training workshops covering a broad range of topics curated to help small businesses compete with confidence in the state contracting arena and bi-monthly webinars that connect entrepreneurs to resources at the state, federal, and local levels.

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About the Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs
As a Coordinating Office within the Executive Department, the Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs connects the small business community, including those firms owned by minorities, women, and veterans, to greater economic opportunities. Learn more by visiting our website at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter @goMDsmallbiz.