*** SBA begins virtual training initiative

CLARKSBURG -– A series of live Webinars and hands-on workshops will be offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration and resource partners over the next few months designed to provide small businesses with information on how to do business with the federal government.

Training will include marketing to federal agencies, finding opportunities online, what and how the government buys and required registration procedures.

"We want to reach as many small businesses and entrepreneurs as we can and our Virtual Training Initiative is a perfect way to expand our outreach efforts in rural West Virginia," said Judy McCauley, director of SBA's West Virginia District Office. "This Virtual Training Initiative is a series of webinars and training events to assist West Virginia entrepreneurs to find new markets, sell more goods and services, and create more jobs."

* An interactive and hands-on series of training events focused on Selling to the Government, SBA's Small Business Certification Programs and the Contractor Registration process, is set for 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22 in Clarksburg and Dunbar; and 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 25 and Wednesday, Feb. 10 in Beckley.

To register for one or all of these events and for additional information, contact Naomi Bassel at naomi.bassel@sba.gov or (304) 623-5631.

* Government Contracting 101, a live Webinar series, will be offered at 12:00 noon on Friday, Feb. 26. The webinar will also be held March 26 and April 23.

For registration information, visit the SCORE website at www.wvscore.org or contact Kimberly Donahue at the SBA's Charleston Branch Office at (304) 347-5220 (e-mail kimberly.donahue@sba.gov). Instruction is provided by the Regional Contracting Assistance Center (RCAC) (SBA co-sponsorship number 10-0390-08).

The federal government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, spending nearly $520 billion in 2008. Contracting can be an excellent option for small businesses searching for expansion opportunities and for ways to keep their companies viable in today's business climate.

The U.S. Small Business Administration oversees various certification programs which can provide minorities, women, disabled veterans and other social and economic disadvantaged individuals with tools to engage in federal contracting.

All SBA programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.