The Fayetteville Public Works Commission  hosted a virtual Small Local Supplier Program workshop on Tuesday night.

The event allowed businesses to learn about:

• The Small Local Supplier (SLS) Program
• How to become a supplier
• How to become a SLS
• How to participate in the bid process
• How to receive payment for provided goods and/or services
• Where to find free business assistance 

The SLS Program is the result of the approved Senate Bill 294 in July 2021. This bill allowed PWC to create a program for small businesses to promote their development in the Fayetteville Metropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Cumberland, Harnett and Hoke Counties. 

The program was designed by PWC and will launch on July 1, 2022. 

“The program’s purpose is to support local utilization, encourage capacity development, and offer procurement opportunities to business enterprises that meet eligibility requirements,” said Candice Kirtz, PWC’s supply chain manager. 

One way that PWC is doing this is by providing a 30 nder 30 SLS list. This list allows the supply chain department to matchmake SLSs to departments that buy goods and services within like markets. 

“The Supply Chain Department, through the SLS Program, will provide periodic outreach events for engagement in ways that will benefit our small local business community,” added Kirtz.

The recent events hosted by PWC in partnership with the SBTDC allows PWC to help small businesses learn, gain support, and receive transparency in how the program will work. 

PWC will be hosting a Supplier Ready training on May 31 at 6 p.m. and a How to Do Business with PWC mini-workshop on June 7 at 6 p.m. Both of these events will be virtual.