Saint Paul – The Minnesota Department of Administration (Admin), in partnership with the Minnesota Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MN PTAC), is pleased to announce that they will host the state's second small business opportunity fair for Minnesota small businesses owned by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans on Thursday, March 30 at the Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building in St. Paul.

“The State of Minnesota is open for small business,” said Administration Commissioner Matt Massman. “The Small Business Opportunity Fair will help open the doors for Minnesota entrepreneurs seeking to do business with the State.”

Assistant Commissioner Alice Roberts-Davis added, "We look forward to the new ideas and innovation that diverse businesses bring. Our vendors are so important to supporting our efforts to provide the best possible services – the quality services that Minnesotans expect."

This event will be an opportunity for small business owners to connect with purchasing staff from state agencies, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to learn about upcoming business opportunities. Admin’s Office of Equity in Procurement staff and representatives from MN PTAC will be available during the event to answer questions about the Small Business Procurement Program and how to compete for business with the state.

When: Thursday, March 30, 1 – 4 p.m.
Where: Rooms 2370 & 2380, Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building (Minnesota Department of Human Services), 540 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101 (Map)
Cost: Free
Register: http://bit.ly/2lkpJq6
Details: mn.gov/admin/opp-fair

Admin’s Office of Equity in Procurement (OEP) was created in 2015 to ensure greater equity in state contracting and construction. With Minnesota’s state agencies purchasing more than $2 billion in goods and services annually, OEP’s mission is to provide the best value in state administrative services by successfully connecting small and diverse businesses with state contracting opportunities to help strengthen Minnesota’s small business economy. More information can be found at OEP's website at mn.gov/admin/oep.

MN PTAC assists all Minnesota businesses pursue government procurement opportunities, and offers specialized support for Women, Veteran, and HUBZone businesses. As a part of MEDA, MN PTAC provides business development services, business financing, and access to market opportunities to support entrepreneurs of color. MEDA also operates two business development centers under cooperative agreements with the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. More information on MN PTAC services can be found at meda.net/mnptac.

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For additional information, please contact:
Julie Nelsen
Julie.J.Nelsen@state.mn.us
(651) 201-2565