South Carolina Minority Business Enterprise Center And Congressman Host Energy Summit
July 15, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – July 15, 2009 – The South Carolina Minority Business Enterprise Center (SCMBEC) along with United States Representative James E. Clyburn, Majority Whip, hosted the 2009 South Carolina Energy Summit on Monday, July 13th in Columbia at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
Clyburn kicked off the event at 9:00am with an introduction. After, experts from the field presented information on alternative energy and how to successful enter the market. Presentations and discussion focused on biomass, nuclear, wind, solar and hydrogen energy, environmental remediation, compliance, energy security and Smart Grid.
Representatives from Progress Energy, Santee Cooper, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, South Carolina Electric and Gas, South Carolina Energy Office and The Shaw Group, among many more, gave specific details on how Small, Women and Minority Business Enterprises (SWMBEs) can earn future business with them.
“This is a great way for SWMBEs to learn more about emerging business opportunities. With a weak economy like ours, it’s crucial that SWMBEs tap into different markets using various collaborative strategies,” Diane Sumpter, project director of the South Carolina Minority Business Center said.
“We’re continually providing South Carolina’s SWMBEs with different opportunities that will help their business grow. Right now, our Center thinks alternative energy is one of the largest markets to seek work from and that it will continue to offer numerous opportunities for these businesses in the future. That’s why it’s important for all SWMBEs to attend this summit,” Sumpter continued.
Renowned lunch speaker, former NASA associate administrator for small and disadvantaged business utilization and former executive director of the National Association of Minority Contractors, Mr. Ralph Thomas, III, presented and discussed “Strategic Teaming, Partnerships and Joint Ventures,” a lecture benefiting any company who plans to team with another organization to strengthen their capabilities.
In addition, participants had a chance to visit and network with numerous procurement and small business specialists from a variety of different energy companies, energy associations and municipalities – including city, county, state and federal levels throughout the day. Twenty-five exhibitors from the energy field were expected.
The summit is designed for SWMBEs who are potentially seeking to enter the emerging, alternative energy market — a market that is poised for substantial expansion in the near future. Complete information on the event can be found online by visiting www.2009EnergySummit.com, or by contacting Dawn Jennings at [email protected] or 803-743-1154.
About the SCMBEC
As a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) was created specifically to advance the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in America. Furthermore, the South Carolina Minority Business Enterprise Center (SCMBEC) formed a cooperative agreement with the MBDA, to promote the growth and expansion of South Carolina’s minority-owned businesses.
The SCMBEC provides services to increase the exposure and visibility of minority business enterprises, and at the same time, build market presence and stability for these firms. Their consulting services and strategies are designed to increase capital and contracting opportunities for these firms, as well as to help create new jobs in South Carolina’s communities.
For complete information on the SCMBEC, visit www.SCMBEC.com.
