Small Business University Holds Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Training

OCED staff Eduardo Gonzalez and Shelby Gonzales via the Fresno State Small Business University trained and guided local small business in Fresno and surrounding areas to apply to become certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise DBEs.

 

The Fresno State Small Business University’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Supportive Services (DBE/SS) Program goal is to increase the total number of certified DBE firms active in the federal-aid highway construction and professional services industries and contribute to their growth and eventual self- sufficiency. The Business Enterprise Supportive Services (DBE/SS) serves Caltran’s Central Region, including programming and services to DBEs and potential DBEs in Caltrans districts 5, 6, 9 and 10.

• District 5 - Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara & Santa Cruz Counties
• District 6 - Kern, Kings, Fresno, Madera & Tulare Counties
• District 9 - Inyo & Mono Counties
• District 10 - Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus & Tuolumne Counties

In order to help increase the total number of certified DBE and potential DBE firms active in the federal-aid highway construction and professional services contracts, OCED via the Fresno State Small Business University is organizing and delivering four (4)  DBE certification workshops within the Caltrans Central Region.  Workshops in May will be held in Modesto and Salinas California.

 

Additionally, OCED’s efforts to help ensure the improved economic growth, and eventual self-sufficiency, of certified DBE firms enrolled in Fresno State Small Business University (BDP) program, OCED has cross-pollinated with regional Entrepreneurship Centers (E-Centers) in order to provide additional individualized technical assistance and training workshops that help address any gaps in the DBE firm’s qualifications and increase their capacity. E-Centers are flourishing in the project region’s universities and colleges, and are fostering a critical component of the economic ecosystem. OCED has established partnerships with these prominent E-Centers: Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at CSU Fresno (Lyles Center); Institute for Innovation and Economic Development at CSU Monterey Bay (iiED); Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at CSU San Luis Obispo (CIE); UC Merced Business Center; and Business and Entrepreneurship Centers at Cuesta College (San Luis Obispo) and Kern Community College District (Bakersfield). Aside from delivering important services and resources to small businesses, these centers are involved in providing various trainings in reaching new markets, securing forms of venture capital, and business plan technical assistance.

 

For more information about future DBE workshops or to sign up for Fresno State Small Business University, please call 559-278-054.