Texas Tech’s NWT APEX Accelerator to host event for local businesses

The Northwest Texas APEX Accelerator Center at Texas Tech University, in conjunction with other local entities, is hosting a Meet the Buyer event for small businesses on Nov. 2 at the Business Resource Center in San Angelo.

In partnership with the Angelo State University Small Business Development Center and the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Office of Economic Development, the event will begin at 8 a.m. The event will feature a variety of government agencies available to discuss doing business with them, how to find bids, search their websites and other helpful information on government contracting.

“We feel very fortunate to have the expertise and knowledge of several agencies willing to travel to San Angelo, as well as local agencies, for this new event to talk to business owners in-person,” Rich Lyles, regional director of the APEX Accelerator Center, said in a news release. “We currently serve 117 counties and feel there is great potential in San Angelo and the surrounding area to become more involved in government contracting.”

Speakers include representatives from Goodfellow Air Force Base, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, BuyBoard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Texas Department of Transportation, the United States Department of Agriculture, San Angelo Independent School District and Angelo State University, part of the Texas Tech University System.

The NWT APEX Accelerator Center, formerly known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), is partially funded by a grant from the Department of Defense. Its mission is to connect small businesses with local, state and federal agencies. APEX can teach and guide small business owners, whether they are newcomers to the government marketplace or more experienced contractors seeking specialized help, at no charge.

An APEX counselor is available in San Angelo to assist business owners in the area and surrounding counties.

Businesses interested in attending the event must register in advance at nwtptac.org/events. There is no charge to attend but space is limited, and lunch will be provided by the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Office of Economic Development.