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Mercer Launches Procurement Readiness & Empowerment Program to Strengthen Small Business Growth

May 04, 2026

Ewing, NJ – County Executive Dan Benson announced that the Mercer County Office of Economic Development is partnering with the New Jersey Small Business Development Center at The College of New Jersey to launch the Mercer County Procurement Readiness & Empowerment Program, a four-week, hands-on training initiative designed to help small businesses successfully compete for County and State contracts.

This comprehensive program reflects Mercer County's continued commitment to strengthening the local economy by equipping small, minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses with the tools they need to access public procurement opportunities.
"Access to government contracting can be transformative for small businesses, but the process can often feel complex and out of reach," said County Executive Dan Benson. "This program is about bringing down those barriers and ensuring that more of our local businesses can participate, compete, and thrive."
The program will run throughout May 2026 and feature a blend of in-person and virtual sessions led by procurement and business development experts:

  • Getting Certified, Set-Aside Programs & Capability Statements

    May 7, 2026 | In Person | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

    The College of New Jersey - 2000 Pennington Rd, Ewing, NJ 08628

  • Mastering the RFP Response Process

    May 14, 2026 | Virtual | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

  • Decoding Mercer County Bids

    May 21, 2026 | Virtual | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

  • Navigating Mercer County Procurement

    May 28, 2026 | In Person | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

    The Boathouse at Mercer Lake - 334 S Post Rd, West Windsor, NJ 08550

Participants will gain practical knowledge on certification processes, responding to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), interpreting county bid opportunities, and navigating the procurement landscape with confidence.
The initiative aligns with Mercer County's broader strategy to expand economic opportunity for all and promote diversity among County vendors. By increasing the capacity of local businesses to compete for contracts, the County is promoting job creation, while keeping more money in our local economy and ensuring and ensuring that County contractors will better reflect the community's diverse residents.
"This program is about more than training.  It's also about empowerment," said Lilian Mauro, Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center. "We are intentionally building a pipeline of qualified local vendors who are ready to engage, win contracts, and grow."
Space is limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged. A light breakfast will be provided for in-person sessions.

For more information or to register, please contact:

Phone: (609) 771-2947 |Email: info@sbdcnj.com

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