By Joan F. Simoneau, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – Marlborough Housing Director Doug Bushman needs a lot of help filling housing needs and maintaining properties in the city and is seeking local businesses to assist in providing these services.
“It's all about jobs,” he told those who attended a workshop held Sept. 13 entitled “The ABCs of Procuring Government Contracts.”
“Part of my job is to help the downtown business community economically and we want to do this by hiring contractors locally. All you have to do is call me and let me know what services you can provide. We can start immediately to help each other and the city,” he said.
Beverly Sleeper, Marlborough's procurement officer, encouraged small business owners to become aware of projects available by checking local newspapers and postings on the City Hall bulletin board for invitations to bid. She can also help with forms and urged all to be certain to fill out the paperwork properly and be alert to submission dates.
Other panelists included Barbara Miller, director of Training, Outreach & Marketing, Operational Services Division for the commonwealth; David Polatin, assistant district director, U.S. Small Business Administration; and Melissa Branzburg of the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration.
Presenters also offered help applying for state, national and international contracts.
At a recent Community Development Authority meeting, Mayor Arthur Vigeant expressed his disappointment in the lack of response from local businesses to the city's request for proposals for municipal projects. He said he hoped the workshop would explain the process and alleviate the fear of complex paper work.
Vigeant welcomed attendees to the event, co-sponsored by the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC) and Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and held at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel. MEDC Executive Director Tim Cummings served as moderator.