HARRISBURG, PA — The Department of General Services (DGS), in collaboration with U.S. Senator Bob Casey‘s office, orchestrated the second annual Small Business Empowerment Summit at the Hilton Harrisburg on Monday. This pivotal event attracted over 400 participants, including small business owners, diverse business entities, veteran business leaders, and influencers from government and non-profit sectors. The summit highlighted the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s efforts to enhance small businesses’ access to state and federal contracting opportunities.
Governor Josh Shapiro, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis headlined the summit, each emphasizing the indispensable role that small and diverse businesses play in Pennsylvania’s economic landscape. Governor Shapiro illuminated the progress made since his tenure began, highlighting the record number of state contracts awarded to small and diverse businesses in the last fiscal year. “More small business owners are getting the chance to do business with the Commonwealth,” Shapiro noted, emphasizing the consequential opportunities for wealth creation and service excellence.
Senator Casey echoed this sentiment, proclaiming small businesses as the “backbone of the Commonwealth’s economy.” He stressed the importance of equipping these businesses with essential tools for success, which the summit sought to provide through valuable information sharing and resources.
The summit provided an interactive platform featuring panel discussions, networking sessions, and presentations focused on streamlining procurement processes for small businesses. Under the Shapiro-Davis Administration, these initiatives have resulted in nearly $700 million directed to contracts with small diverse businesses (SDBs) and veteran business enterprises (VBEs) during the 2022-23 fiscal year—a significant increase from the preceding year.
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, who chairs the Pennsylvania Advisory Council for Inclusive Procurement, highlighted the administration’s efforts to “level the playing field” for small businesses. Notably, the Commonwealth increased its spending with Black- and Latino-owned businesses by 30 percent during the same fiscal year. Davis reinforced the administration’s ongoing commitment to investing in small businesses, recognizing them as the “engine of our economy and the beating heart of our communities.”
The summit introduced attendees to various initiatives led by DGS’s Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunities (BDISBO). These initiatives include the Amazon Business support program, the Mentor-Protégé Program, and updated business registration forms to facilitate increased participation in Commonwealth contracting. The redefined small business criteria now align with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s standards, expanding qualification opportunities.
Secretary of DGS, Reggie McNeil, articulated the broader vision behind these initiatives: “These initiatives are not just about meeting numbers; they’re about transforming lives and communities.” He emphasized the summit’s role in creating a more inclusive economy where small and diverse businesses can thrive and contribute to the state’s economic fabric.
The summit also featured influential voices such as Kerry Kirkland, Deputy Secretary of BDISBO, John Fleming from the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Ian Lawrence from the Enterprise Center. These leaders provided actionable insights into navigating government contracting and leveraging the available resources.
Kerry Kirkland succinctly captured the summit’s overarching mission: “Through our collaborative efforts, we are opening doors that have been closed for far too long.” He reiterated the commitment to sustaining opportunities for small and diverse businesses, ensuring they have the necessary tools to compete and succeed in an equitable economic environment.
The Small Business Empowerment Summit aimed to highlight Pennsylvania’s efforts to foster an inclusive and vibrant economic future.
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