Small Business, Job Seekers Can Enroll in County BOWD Program
The Clark County Business Opportunity and Workforce Development (BOWD) program is accepting applications from small business owners and job seekers who wish to grow their companies or careers.
The program, unveiled during a kickoff event last Tuesday, July 24, is offered free of charge to participating firms and job applicants. The deadline to apply is Thursday, August 9 at 5 p.m. Small business owners who wish to enroll in the BOWD program can contact Akers & Associates, Inc. at (702) 724-1500 or melyssa@akersinc.com. Job seekers who wish to participate in the BOWD program can contact Jake McClelland from the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow at (702) 367-4348 or JakeM@LasVegasFit.org.
“The County has made a concerted effort to try to level the playing field so that more and more businesses have an opportunity to seek County contracts,” said Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani. “This program helps business people understand what’s needed to successfully compete. We are also trying hard to help women-owned and minority businesses, veterans and youth find more opportunities.”
Commissioner Mary Beth Scow added, “If you’re a business person who has never provided services to Clark County, getting your foot in the door can seem like an intimidating process. It doesn’t have to be. That’s why we wanted to offer this program – to demonstrate to small business people that opportunities exist and that they can compete.”
“Many small businesses are struggling and we know that contracts with the County can help sustain those businesses,” Commission Chair Susan Brager said. “We want to provide opportunities for all local qualified men and women to provide the County needed goods and services.”
Small business owners who sign up for BOWD will receive professional guidance and support as they build capacity to compete for contracts through a combination of classroom sessions, mentoring, coaching and County relationship-building activities.
To qualify a small firm must have a business license, offer goods or services the County would purchase and complete an assessment that determines whether the organization fits into the basic, intermediate or advanced level of BOWD’s four-month curriculum. Participating firms will attend weekly, bi-weekly or monthly classes, depending upon assigned curriculum levels.
Unemployed and underemployed participants will have opportunities to be trained and matched with BOWD firms seeking to hire as they build capacity. Each job seeker will work with one case manager who will assist with income maintenance, employment and training issues. To qualify, an applicant must be a Nevada resident, at least 18 years old, eligible to work in the United States and have a valid Social Security number. Men born after 1960 must be in compliance with U.S. Selective Service requirements.
“If you’re uncertain about whether you meet all of the requirements, just bring valid Nevada identification and your Social Security card to our office and we can usually help from there,” said FIT’s Jake McClelland.
BOWD is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), approved by the County Commission and administered by Tom Akers of Akers & Associates, Inc. During the BOWD kickoff, Akers introduced a team of core implementation partners called the Strategic Alliance For Emerging Small Business (SafeSB™). Akers & Associates, FIT, Nevada Small Business Development Center (NSBDC) and J-Hart Communications are among the partners.
“Our SafeSB™ team brings to the table a wide range of skills, services and expertise and we have worked well together assisting small companies in the past,” said Akers. “The BOWD program enables us to take a more comprehensive approach that will make an even greater impact on the growth of small firms, and the future of Southern Nevadans determined to find gainful employment.“
Small business owners who wish to enroll in the BOWD program can contact Akers & Associates, Inc. at (702) 724-1500 or melyssa@akersinc.com. Job seekers who wish to participate in the BOWD program can contact FIT’s Jake McClelland at (702) 367-4348 or JakeM@LasVegasFit.org. ###
Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect and accountability. With jurisdiction over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 14th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to more than 2 million citizens and 42 million visitors a year. Included are the nation’s 8th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. The County also provides municipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to almost 900,000 residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.