6/19/08 Office of Supplier Diversity Partners with University of Florida
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2008
CONTACT: LINDA MCDONALD, (850) 921-5266
~Strategic Partnership Agreement brings north central Florida resources together for small and minority- and women-owned businesses~
GAINESVILLE - This week the Department of Management Services Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) announced its Strategic Partnership Agreement with the University of Florida Small Business & Vendor Diversity Relations Division (UF). OSD provides equity in contracting for small and minority- and women-owned businesses in Florida, and this alignment with UF provides entrepreneurs extended high-quality, one-on-one consulting, management training and information.
"As we work to promote business with state government for Florida's small and minority- and women-owned businesses, we recognize the efficiencies of partnering with resources like the University of Florida offers," said Department of Management Services Secretary Linda H. South. "This agreement maximizes benefits we each offer to these businesses and the communities they serve, and adds value for our customers in the north central region of the state."
OSD and UF exchange information about programs and services, and support the educational offerings of each group. This cooperative approach provides a broader scope of assistance for small and minority- and women-owned businesses.
"The University of Florida is proud to support the fine work of the Office of Supplier Diversity," said Small Business & Vendor Diversity Relations Director Faylene Welcome. "Small and minority- and women-owned businesses are critical to the state's economy and we want to be a leader in supporting them."
The number of small and minority business enterprises is growing in rural areas of the state like north central Florida. OSD builds relationships to serve the small and minority- and women-owned businesses established in those areas and provide guidance for those who want to launch new businesses.
"This agreement, like our agreement with the University of West Florida, creates regional networks and alliances of resources that help develop and nurture small and minority business enterprises," said OSD Director Torey L. Alston. "The Office of Supplier Diversity bridges Florida's entrepreneurs with the state's resources to foster business development that in turn adds to the state's economic development."
For more information about the Office of Supplier Diversity, visit www.dms.MyFlorida.com. To learn more about the University of Florida Small Business & Vendor Diversity Relations Division, visit www.sbvdr.admin.ufl.edu.
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