What's Happening in Colorado Springs, CO…

Three Colorado Springs agencies will soon sign an agreement to formalize their relationship, as is a requirement under a new state law.

The Colorado Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Minority Business Office, and the Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center—already refer Colorado Springs-area clients to one another. They also get together to sponsor local conferences, training sessions, and workshops.

Gary Henry, who is the executive director of the procurement technical assistance center, said the relationship among the three agencies will not change, but the agreement simply makes a formal statement of what already exists. It will also create a go-to body for small business owners, who will now have just one place to go when they need help. Henry notes that companies are sometimes confused about who to contact for assistance, and this should simplify the process.

The three agencies have similar missions, though each is slightly different. The procurement center, located in Colorado Springs, helps Colorado businesses win government contracts at all levels. Meanwhile, the small business agency provides training and counseling programs to assist small companies to grow, and the minority center helps minority business owners start up their companies.

Colorado Springs officials could work with a flyer printing company to create a mailer for community businesses announcing the formal agreement among the three agencies.