The University of Missouri Extension small business development program has helped a Brookfield construction company grow.
Better By Design LLC has grown from two full-time and a few part-time employees to five full-time and as many as 13 part-time employees in the last few months.
In 2009, Better By Design became a client of the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, which is part of the business development program.
The assistance centers guide clients through the process of bidding for federal, state, and local contracts.
Better By Design contracted with the North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission last year to provide debris removal and environmental remediation services in order to make the East Locust Creek Reservoir a reality.
The 2,300-acre reservoir will supply seven million gallons of water a day to 11 counties.
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission reports that construction is expected to create more than 400 jobs.
President and CEO Lois Rodriguez hopes Better By Design will have 20 to 30 employees and its own equipment. She says she does not believe the area could support a construction company that large without the government market.
Rodriguez advises small businesses considering to apply for government contracting to contact their local Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, get involved, get as much training as possible, and listen to their advisors.
More information about the program can be found online HERE.
