Matchmaking event leads to Drum jobs

One day of networking last March for Peter R. Daly led to two landscaping jobs at Fort Drum.

Mr. Daly, who co-owns landscaping firm Daly Company Inc., Sackets Harbor, attended the Selling to the Government and Matchmaking Event, hosted by the Small Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College.

"Mainly, I wanted to make contacts with those who had contracts on Fort Drum," he said. "I wanted to both learn about working directly for the government or find subcontracting jobs."

He said he met about a dozen contacts, bid on six jobs and received two contracts. One was landscaping around Fort Drum's new Warrior in Transition Unit building. This year, he's bidding on four more, thanks to the legwork he did last spring.

"I will definitely go back again this year and either meet a few new people or just reacquaint myself with those I met last year," he said.

This year's event, which allows government agencies and large businesses with state and federal contracts to meet with local businesses, will be March 30.

The session will have more networking time and less seminar time. Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, will be a guest.

"As we've leaned more to matchmaking, we've seen more successes as a result," said E. Ann Durant, assistant director of the center. "It's an important event for people to come and meet prime contractors and agencies."

Last year's event brought 102 small businesses and about 30 agencies and prime contractors.

Registration for the event is required by Monday by calling 782-9262 and costs $35 for small businesses. The event will run 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 30 at the commons in the Jules Center on JCC's campus off Coffeen Street.

Mr. Daly and his wife, Sally, have applied for status as a women-based enterprise and are a self-certified women-owned business.

That helps the company in competing for contracts, Ms. Durant said, as federal government agencies have goals for contracting with a certain proportion of businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans.

Mr. Daly learned about the process through the opening seminar at last year's event.

"The SBDC really put together a nice package," he said. "And for contractors, it's beneficial for them to meet some local subcontractors."