News Summary

New Orleans has launched its Citywide Set-Aside Opportunities Tour aimed at boosting local small businesses by providing dedicated access to city contracts. This initiative will allocate 25% of certain contracts to socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, creating a level playing field. With meetings available both in-person and via Zoom, the program encourages local entrepreneurs to get certified as DBEs and register through the city’s BRASS supplier portal. The city aims to uplift the entrepreneurial landscape and promote long-term economic growth.

Exciting New Program for Small Businesses in New Orleans!

New Orleans is buzzing with activity as the city rolls out its exciting Citywide Set-Aside Opportunities Tour. This initiative is all about connecting with small businesses and informing them on how to tap into the incredible benefits of the Set-Aside Program. So, whether you’re running a cozy café, a local construction firm, or anything in between, this program might just be the boost you’ve been waiting for!

What’s the Big Idea?

The idea behind the Citywide Set-Aside Opportunities Tour is simple yet powerful. The city wants to foster long-term economic growth for small businesses by dedicating as much as 25% of its contracts for goods, services, and construction to socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, often referred to as DBEs. This means that certified DBEs will have the chance to compete for specific contracts without having to go up against the big guys!

A Chance to Grow

The tour will feature 1 to 2 meetings in each district, making it convenient for local businesses to participate. And the great news? You can join in on the fun either in-person or via Zoom! This flexibility allows everyone to tune in and glean useful insights that can lead to an exciting path of growth. These meetings will take place at the RTA Business Center located at 2817 Canal St.

Get Your Business Certified!

To reap the rewards from this initiative, businesses must be certified as DBEs. This status is crucial as it grants access to the myriad opportunities that the Set-Aside Program provides. In fact, to get involved, interested businesses need to register through the city’s BRASS supplier portal. This user-friendly portal enables certified vendors to receive solicitations, upload invoices, set up direct deposit, and even track payments—talk about ease of use!

Spread the Word

The City has taken steps to ensure that awareness is high; they have communicated information about the Set-Aside Program to all certified DBEs via email. However, there’s still work to do—out of the 2,105 certified DBEs, only 645 have registered on the city’s BRASS database. That’s a significant number of businesses that could potentially miss out on these valuable opportunities!

Need Help with Registration?

If you’re a vendor needing assistance with the BRASS registration process, don’t worry! Help is just a phone call away. The Bureau of Purchasing is available at (504) 658-1550 for those who need a hand getting started. Furthermore, certified vendors can simply navigate to a specific webpage hosted by the City of New Orleans to register for the BRASS portal.

Creating a Level Playing Field

This initiative is not only about helping small businesses get their foot in the door, but it’s also about creating a more level playing field for local entrepreneurs. It aims to support minority entrepreneurs and small businesses in building sustainable wealth, leading to long-term community upliftment. It’s an exciting time for New Orleans as it embraces its local business landscape with open arms!

Final Thoughts

In summary, the New Orleans Citywide Set-Aside Opportunities Tour is a golden opportunity for small businesses to shine. With a focus on supporting disadvantaged businesses, the city is setting the stage for profound economic change. If you’re a certified DBE, don’t let this chance slip away! Register, join a meeting, and take the first step toward growth and success.