Pioneer Community Energy (Pioneer) encourages small and diverse businesses in Placer and El Dorado counties to take advantage of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) expo “How to Do Business with State Agencies and the Utilities,” on October 27 from 8 am to noon.

The virtual Small/Diverse Business Expo is a free event created to:

• Help connect small and diverse businesses to utilities and government procurement specialists.
• Educate small and diverse businesses on the benefits of becoming certified as a small business, woman-owned, minority-owned, disabled veteran-owned and/or LGBT-owned business.
• Share with small and diverse businesses utilities’ best business practices and “how to get in the door” with utility companies.
• Inform small and diverse businesses of utilities and government contract opportunities.
• Provide networking with other business owners.

Under General Order 156, the CPUC orders utilities throughout the state to contract with small and diverse businesses through its Supplier Clearinghouse Database. Among other helpful information, the Expo will provide information the process for achieving certification.

“Pioneer makes every effort to support local businesses in our service area through our procurement,” said Donald Eckert, Pioneer Executive Director. “We also want to ensure that our local businesses are aware of other opportunities that could expand their presence and bring them more business.”

To register, visit: https://whova.com/web/cjuvs_202110/.

For more information contact CPUC Small Business Liaison, Bezawit Dilgassa, via e-mail at smallbiz@cpuc.ca.gov or call 800-253-0500.