Outreach Event Connects Contractors With Area Businesses In Howard Co.

Ellicott City MD

13 June, 2022

4:07 PM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard Hughes Corporation-Columbia and Howard County leaders recently co-hosted a contractor outreach event to connect local, diverse businesses with major organizations offering large contracts and bids. The event featured 21 prime contractors and nearly 250 local businesses. "We've heard from our local businesses – and they are looking for more opportunities to access large contracts and bidding opportunities," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. "(The) event is a great example of our close partnership with prime contractors and our efforts to keep tax dollars here in Howard County. We're committed to opening more doors for our local, diverse entrepreneurs and we're so grateful to Howard Hughes for their close collaboration and efforts to make this fair a success." The Local Business Initiative, which works to increase the percentage of county procurement dollars flowing to local businesses, has grown exponentially in the past three years. In 2018, only 100 firms were certified with the Office of Procurement and Contract Administration under the Local Business Initiative. Currently, there are 331 certified firms, with more than 100 new businesses added this year. In addition to increased participation, Howard County has directed more funding towards local businesses every year since 2018. In fiscal year 2019, the county spent $10.5 million with local businesses. In fiscal year 2020 and 2021, the county spent more than $16 million - a 55 percent increase from previous years. Howard County is on pace to exceed this funding again with $19 million spent with local businesses for the most recently concluded third quarter of fiscal year 2022. Since 2018, Howard County has spent 300 percent more with local businesses. The county also is focused on ensuring minority-owned businesses are not left behind. In FY2020 the county awarded more than $59 million in contracts to minority-owned businesses. In FY2021, the county awarded $64 million to minority-owned and women businesses, an increase of 9 percent from FY2020. In the first three quarters of FY2022, the county has spent $55 million on minority-owned and women businesses. Of its total spending thus far, 27 percent has been spent with EBO vendors. "The Diverse Contractor Outreach Event is the latest step in our ongoing efforts to connect community to opportunities available in Downtown Columbia's development, where Columbia's founding values and good business practices go hand in hand," Howard Hughes Corporation-Columbia President Greg Fitchitt said. "We are grateful to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball for bringing together people interested in learning more about opportunities to participate in the revitalization underway in Downtown Columbia and throughout Howard County." The following exhibitors participated in the event: CBG Building Company Cianbro CorporationClark Construction GroupColumbia Association Commercial Group Construction Bonds, Inc. Economic Development Authority First National Bank Gilbane Building Company Hamel Builders Harvey Cleary HBW Construction Howard County Chamber Howard County Office of Procurement KasCon, Inc. M&T Bank Maryland Live! Casino MDOT Plano-Coudon Construction Wells Fargo Whiting – Turner