44 Percent of the Top 25 Local Women-Owned Businesses Use
The FTC’s Services
August 23, 2007

Once again, the Sacramento Business Journal column, “The List,” has reinforced that The Federal Technology Center’s (The FTC) clients are often among the most successful in the region. The most recent proof was a June 29, 2007 article that listed the top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in the Greater Sacramento region, as determined by their 2006 local gross revenue. Of the 25 firms listed, 44 percent have taken classes and/or used the free counseling services offered by The FTC. Our clients on “The List” that we have assisted earned over $110,000,000, or 37 percent of the total earnings shown by all 25 companies.

What is a “women-owned” business? According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, it is a business whose ownership interest is at least 51 percent held by a woman or women who are involved in the day-to-day operation of the business and are key decision makers. In federal government contracting, there is a goal to distribute 5 percent of contract dollars to small businesses that are women-owned. Despite the fact that women-owned business is the fastest growing sector of business ownership, the federal government struggles to achieve that goal. In State of California contracting, there is no recognition of women-owned business as a preferred business sector, with the exception of contracts issued by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) that are funded by the federal government.

The Federal Technology Center is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation that promotes economic development by facilitating technology transfer between government and the private sector and by teaching small businesses how to successfully compete for government contracts. The FTC serves 54 of California’s 58 counties, providing many free government contracting courses and seminars,
as well as free one-to-one counseling on any aspect of government contracting.

If you’d like to learn how to ensure your business accurately represents its ownership in government systems and increase your opportunity to earn your fair share of government contract dollars, contact our experts at The FTC at 916.334.9388, or toll-free in California at 886.382.7822, or visit us online at www.TheFTC.org.

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