FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

BEDC AND ODA TO PRESENT
MINORITY CERTIFICATION SEMINAR APRIL 18 

BROOKLYN, NY, April 2, 2002-Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and the Opportunity Development Association will present a Minority Certification Seminar for entrepreneurs interested in becoming vendors to the city, state, and federal government.

The free seminar will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 18, 2002, at BEDC's offices 175 Remsen Street, Suite 350, downtown Brooklyn. To register, call George Lazzari, director of marketing for the Opportunity Development Association, at 718-522-5620.

Anthony Trapani, executive director and president of the Minority/Women Enterprise Government Assistance Program, will run the seminar and give an overview of the Minority Certification Program. 

Mr. Trapani will discuss how to obtain government contracts through certification; federal (SBA), state, and city certifications; the SBA 8(a) certification, which is key to getting federal contracts and help from the federal government, and a brief explanation of the application itself. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers the SBA 8(a) preferential program for eligible minority businesses. Certified businesses are given preference in obtaining government contracts and the certification is good for nine years.

The Minority/Women Enterprise Government Assistance Program is the largest private certifier of SBA 8(a) SDB certified companies in the New York Region of the SBA.

BEDC, a private, nonprofit organization, was established in 1979 to stimulate Brooklyn's economy and create job opportunities for the borough and its residents. BEDC has evolved into a multi-service, business-consulting agency, serving more than 1,000 clients annually and offering comprehensive economic development services. More information is available at www.bedc.org.