Maricopa County buys about $600 million dollars in goods and services annually and 70 percent of those contracts go to companies doing business in Arizona. Maricopa County has teamed with Local First Arizona to increase that number by hosting the first ever “Vendor University” in Glendale last week.

“We’re trying to keep the local dollars within the neighborhood,” said Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Clint Hickman, District 4. “To achieve that, we are using these innovative public/private forums where we can connect Arizona businesses with our government purchasing agents to expand procurement opportunities for local businesses, growing the region’s economic revenue base and ensuring the best value for the taxpayers.”

At Vendor University, business owners and managers learned what the county buys, the impact of local spending in communities, how to register as a vendor, and how to respond to solicitations.

“Maricopa County has been recognized nationally for its organizational excellence in public procurement,” said Kevin Tyne, Maricopa County Chief Procurement Officer. “This effort by the Board of Supervisors to work directly with regional business groups to expand procurement opportunities for local businesses is yet another example of innovative best practices to provide the most effective and efficient delivery of goods and services while delivering the best value for the taxpayers.”

Last week’s Vendor University brought together almost 70 local firms with the help of Local First Arizona. The non-profit and county plan is to host more “Vendor University” events throughout the year to continue educating business owners about the business of government.

"Local First is thrilled with the response from the business community! With nearly 70 businesses in the room we feel that a lot of progress was made in building relationships that could prove fruitful, not only for these businesses, but for their potential to create great new opportunities for Arizonans," said Kimber Lanning, founder and executive director of Local First Arizona.

The next “Vendor University” will be November 9 in the East Valley; address/time TBD.

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