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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Ronald Waters |
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PLBC continues forums on inclusive use of federal stimulus funds
HARRISBURG, May 6 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus held its fourth forum -- this time in Erie -- recently to make sure that minority- and women-owned businesses receive a fair share of the federal stimulus money that's headed to Pennsylvania.
Joining Rep. Ronald G. Waters, chairman of the PLBC, were Reps. Pat Harkins and Flo Fabrizio, both D-Erie, as well as Rep. Tim Seip, and Reps. Vanessa Lowery Brown and Jake Wheatley, both PLBC members.
Representatives from various state agencies attended to provide the audience members with information on how to gain access to infrastructure projects in the state. Those agencies included the departments of General Services, Environmental Protection, Community and Economic Development and Transportation.
"I think these forums are proving very helpful not only to inform the community about the federal stimulus package, but also the men and women who own small businesses, particularly those that are run by minorities and women. Awareness and inclusion is the name of the game," Waters said.
"We are hopeful that the contractors, businesses and the workforce will take advantage of the opportunities being offered," he said.
"It was an honor and privilege to sit in on this forum. It has been a long time coming for minority and women being represented and it is always fulfilling to see the underrepresented being represented," said Matthew Spilko, career advisor for Triangle Tech.
"This has been very informative. Erie has needed this for a long time. Individuals have no idea where to go and today brought people out that I haven’t seen in a long time. This gives us a place to start," added Melvin Witherspoon, NWPA regional director.
Waters said that the PLBC has additional forums planned in other parts of the state:
· Lehigh Valley: Lehigh University, 2:30 p.m. May 6
· Norristown: George Washington Carver Center, 1 p.m. May 21
· Chester: Chester Fine Arts Center East, 6 p.m. May 28
Additional details will be released when available. Registration for each forum can be done in advance online at www.dgs.state.pa.us. For more information, call 717-772-6955 or contact Akeela Roland at aroland@pahouse.net.
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