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More than 50 people attended our first session of “Doing Business with Industry” workshop that was hosted by the Small Business Development Center at Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) and sponsored by Golden Triangle Polymers, Local First, Orange County and Orange County Economic Development Corporation.

The session, “Getting Current Business Affairs in Order,” included information on industry research, compliance and regulations, workforce considerations, quality and safety standards, networking, market analysis and financial stability.

Participants who successfully completed the first class will attend Session II and learn more about insurance coverage, supply chain management, technology and innovation, bonding requirements and business certifications.

The workshops conclude with Session III in March.

If you missed out on participating in this workshop, stay tuned for future business development opportunities in the coming months.

The SBDC at LSCPA provides a wealth of business advising and training services for Orange County.

Contact them at 409-984-6531 to discuss your business ideas and needs.

Minority owned business certification

Have you ever considered pursuing a minority-owned business certification?

If your business is owned by a woman, minority, LGBTQ or veteran, you can pursue certification by various third-party agencies.

You may be thinking, “Why should we pursue a minority business certification?”

Government agencies and Industry often set aside a portion of their budgets to award contracts for minority-owned businesses.

Having this certification can provide access to opportunities that you may not otherwise have and will help your company stand out from your competitors.

Local First is going to provide guidance on how to apply for certifications soon.

Stay tuned for more information.

As a reminder, visit OrangeCountyEDC.com/LocalFirst for more information and to access the Local First vendor list registration.

You can also contact me at kyoung@co.orange.tx.us or visit us at the Golden Triangle Polymers Public Information Office at 1537 Strickland Drive, Suite A.

Contact me, Kristie Young, at kyoung@co.orange.tx.us or visit me at the Golden Triangle Polymers public information office at 1537 Strickland, Suite A if you have any questions regarding Local First. Follow us on Facebook to learn about educational and networking opportunities in 2024.