Procurement Centers Merge to Offer Better Service, Cost Savings

Contact: Jennifer Spann, Public Relations
601.359.3449
jspann@mississippi.org

Jackson, Mississippi (November 10, 2009) - On Friday, November 20, the Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Program (MPTAP) will host an open house to mark the merger of the East Central Contract Procurement Center with the Central Mississippi Contract Procurement Center. The open house will be held in Meridian at the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation (EMBDC) at 1901 Front Street from 10:00 a.m. to noon. EMBDC is co-sponsoring the event.

Effective October 1, the merger of the two centers will allow more comprehensive services to the region. The consolidated center is part of MPTAP's statewide network of procurement technical assistance centers strategically located around the state. Other centers are located in Biloxi, Columbus and Greenville. In addition to providing training opportunities, MPTAP also assists Mississippi businesses in obtaining federal, state and local government and commercial contracts.

"MPTAP is an integral resource for small businesses seeking new business opportunities and looking for tools to help them grow,"� said Jonithan P. Hatcher, director of the consolidated center, which is administered under the auspices of the Mississippi Development Authority's (MDA's) Minority and Small Business Development Division. "Now we will be able to offer more centralized services to businesses in the area. This merger will allow us to reduce costs while increasing the availability of resources and maintaining the same level of service to the Meridian/Lauderdale County community."�

The Central Mississippi Contract Procurement Center is physically located in Jackson. For businesses in the Meridian/Lauderdale County area, a local presence will be established for weekly office visits as necessary. EMBDC is partnering with MPTAP to provide shared office space for such visits.

"We are pleased to have EMBDC as our partner. They have been and will continue to be an invaluable asset as we transition through the merger and continue serving businesses in the area,"� added Hatcher.

Businesses are encouraged to continue to access the program's Web site - www.mscpc.com -  to stay abreast of upcoming training activities and to view and receive bid opportunities. Current logins and passwords will remain the same.

For more information about procurement services, contact MDA's Minority and Small Business Division at 601.359.3448 or visit www.mississippi.org.

About Mississippi Development Authority:
Mississippi Development Authority is the State of Mississippi's lead economic and community development agency. More than 250 employees are engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers in the state. While the agency is best known for its efforts to recruit new businesses to Mississippi, the Authority provides services to promote tourism, help communities improve their quality of place, help existing employers identify and meet opportunities and challenges and help workers improve their skills - all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Mississippians. For more information, visit MDA's website at www.mississippi.org.

Back to News List

Back to the Home Page