Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Shapiro Administration to Host “Empowering Connections” Virtual Micro-Summit to Expand Opportunities for Small Businesses to Work with the Commonwealth

    The Shapiro Administration has delivered record-setting investments in small businesses, directing more than $1 billion into Commonwealth contracting opportunities for two consecutive years.

     

    Last year, through the Small Business Reserve SBR Program, the Shapiro Administration awarded $77.6 million in contracts to small businesses.

     

    For more information and to register, click here.

    Harrisburg, PA – Next week, the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS), through its Office of Business Inclusion and Supplier Development (BISD), will partner with regional stakeholders to host Empowering Connections: Advancing Opportunities for Small Businesses, a virtual micro-summit on Monday, May 4, 2026, connecting small businesses with new pathways to growth and success across the commonwealth.

    The virtual event will bring small business owners, entrepreneurs, and procurement professionals together for a dynamic program featuring a keynote address, fireside chat, and interactive workshops focused on how businesses can work with the Commonwealth, access state resources, and strengthen their capacity to compete in public-sector contracting.

    “Small businesses are the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy, and our job is to make sure that businesses have access to opportunities no matter their size, background, or zip code,” said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil. “Through initiatives like this micro-summit, DGS is helping to break down long-standing barriers to success and creating clear pathways to compete for Commonwealth contracts.”

    Participants will gain practical insights into procurement readiness and technical assistance — key components of DGS’ broader strategy to expand participation in the Commonwealth’s supplier network and strengthen Pennsylvania’s economy.

    “This micro-summit is about meeting businesses where they are and equipping them with the knowledge and connections they need to grow,” said Dr. Erica Patterson, Deputy Secretary of BISD. “By providing targeted guidance and real-time engagement, we’re helping small businesses position themselves for long-term success in the Commonwealth marketplace.”

    The micro-summit builds on the Shapiro Administration’s ongoing efforts work to expand access to state contracting opportunities and ensure that small, small diverse, and veteran-owned businesses have the tools they need to grow and thrive.

    More broadly, the Administration has directed more than $1 billion in Commonwealth contracting opportunities to small businesses for two consecutive years, underscoring a sustained, and ongoing commitment to expanding economic opportunity for the small business community. As a result of this work:

    • $77.6 million in contracts were awarded to qualified businesses through the Small Business Reserve Program, exceeding the preliminary annual goal by $18.6 million.
    • BISD increased subcontracting participation goals by 11 percent in FY 2024-25 by analyzing current data on small businesses and setting targets for individual contracts, ensuring more small businesses had a real opportunity to participate.
    • There was a 71.6 percent increase in dollars spent with veteran-owned businesses over the previous fiscal year.
    • BISD engaged over 4,400 entrepreneurs and business advocates by participating in 57 outreach events across the Commonwealth during FY 2024-25.

    The event will also highlight resources available through DGS, including streamlined certification processes, business development support, and programs designed to help emerging and growing businesses compete more effectively like BISD's Mentor-Protege Program.

    Empowering Connections: Advancing Opportunities for Small Businesses is free to attend and open to businesses across Pennsylvania. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged.

    For more information and to register, visit: https://linktr.ee/pagenservices.

     

    ###