HARRISBURG, June 27, 2006 - Philadelphia-area veterans who own a small business can learn more about contract opportunities through a new initiative, launched by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, called “Vetwork Your Business,” according to state Sen. Michael J. Stack.

“Many of our veterans do not know all the details of their preferential status,” said Stack (D-Philadelphia). “This program is designed to help veterans network and raise awareness of veteran owned small businesses within the larger corporate community.”

The mission of this project is to leverage chamber contacts in order to build public awareness of private and public contract opportunities available to veteran owned businesses when they register in the Central Contracting Registry as a veteran owned business. The project also aims to establish a pipeline of qualified, veteran owned businesses as potential and qualified suppliers for corporate partners and government agencies. In addition, the initiative provides educational and networking opportunities to these businesses.

Lockheed Martin, Motorola, and Merck are the primary corporate sponsors of this initiative.

Additional information on this program is available at www.vetworkyourbusiness.gpcc.com.

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