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Denver Office of Economic Development announced the first five mentor-protégé matches designed to strengthen minority- and women-owned businesses in the construction industry.
"The fundamental goal of our Division of Small Business Opportunity is to build the capacity of minority- and women-owned firms," says Paul Washington, executive director of the OED. "Beyond the core work of certifying qualified firms to compete across a broader range of opportunities, we're boosting their chances of success even further with additional programs like this mentor-protégé initiative. It takes this goal to a whole new level."
Designed to last at least three years, the pairings are:
Protégés will receive coaching on public contract applications and contract performance, as well as an array of other business-management topics from strategic planning to financial management and marketing. All participants already are active in the city's Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise program administered by the Division of Small Business Opportunity.
Plans call for additional placements later in 2016, with mentor-protégé matches in professional services as well as construction.
Contact Confluence Denver Development News Editor Margaret Jackson with tips and leads for future stories at margaret@confluence-denver.com.
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