News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that the Ohio Department of Development's Division of Minority Business Affairs (DMBA) will co-sponsor "Strategies for Growth – Unlocking Business Opportunities," a conference for small and minority business owners interested in expanding their operations.

"The road to success for small business owners is often challenging," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as the Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "I'm pleased that the state is participating in this effort to address the particular needs of Ohio's small and minority-owned firms."

The daylong conference will offer entrepreneurs information about issues and initiatives that impact small and minority-owned businesses. The conference will also include workshops on developing and maintaining strategic business partnerships and opportunities to network with corporate professionals and government agencies for potential procurement opportunities.

The keynote speaker will be Iris Cooper, a founder and owner of Glory Foods, Inc., a minority-owned food company that she and her partners established in Columbus in 1989. Starting with just $25,000 in savings, Glory Foods is now a national multi-million dollar company with food products available in 30 states. Ms. Cooper will share her experiences in the ever-changing world of finance, business development, growth and collaboration. The annual conference also features the Procurement Café, which links business owners with federal, state and local government representatives to discuss possible contract opportunities. Business owners can attend brief one-on-one sessions to acquaint buyers with their company's product, services and capabilities.

In addition to the DMBA, other conference sponsors include: the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, South Central Ohio Minority Business Council, Minority Contractor's Business Assistance Program, Huntington National Bank, the Ohio Commission on African American Males and Battelle. The event will be held March 22 in Columbus at the William Green Building, located at 30 West Spring Street, and is open to Ohio businesspersons. Admission includes lunch and the cost to attend is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Attendees must register by March 19 by calling 1-800-848-1300, ext. 65700 or online at www.scombc.org/.

The Ohio Department of Development's Division of Minority Business Affairs works to create a business environment in Ohio that assists in the growth and development of minority-owned businesses, which are defined as being at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one of the following disadvantaged groups: African-American, Hispanic, Native American and Asian. The DMBA provides assistance through the Minority Contractors and Business Assistance Program (MCBAP), Management and Technical Services and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC).