BINGHAMTON, NY - The SUNY Business and Education Cooperative of the Southern Tier (SUNY BEST) will host "Small business resources and federal government contracting" at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 3, in room 220 at the Binghamton University Downtown Center, 67 Washington St., Binghamton. This presentation, which aims to provide information for small business owners and affiliates, is free and open to the public.

Howard Garrity, an economic development specialist at the Small Business Administration (SBA), Elmira branch office, Syracuse District, will provide details for potential and existing small business entrepreneurs on how to start and expand successful business ventures through the SBA’s loan guaranty programs. The discussion will detail the variety of services the SBA provides, including free counseling available from the SBA’s extensive network of resource partners at SCORE, Small Business Development Centers and Women’s Business Centers located across Upstate New York.

Jim Quackenbush, the business opportunity specialist for the 8(a) Business Development program and other SBA contracting programs at the SBA Syracuse District Office, will examine federal government contracting opportunities and how federal contracting can help small businesses grow. He will answer important questions such as why should business owners apply for the SBA 8(a) Business Development or HUBZone set-aside programs? Are there other set-asides for small businesses? What resources are available to assist small businesses in selling to the federal government?

Pre-registration for this discussion is required through the SUNY BEST website at http://ceo.binghamton.edu/sunybest. For additional information, e-mail sunybest@binghamton.edu.   

Directional signage to the meeting room will be visible for those entering the main entrance of the Downtown Center from Washington St. Parking is available in the Collier Street Ramp, the Water Street Ramp, (both within two blocks of the Downtown Center) or if available, at any of the metered parking spots in front of the building on Washington St.