Repost: Local women business owners benefit from state initiative

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo made it a priority last year to connect women and minority-owned businesses with state contracts. He announced in October that the Department of Economic Development had awarded a record 21.06 percent in state contracts to such firms, exceeding its goal of 20 percent.

Mark DiOrio / Observer-Dispatch
Lynne Angelicola of R.O.I. Office Interiors received her Women Business Enterprise Certification in August, giving her the opportunity to bid on office interior contract that are funded by the state. Angelicola looks at a sample board of office materials for the Utica College Harza Building Site, Jan 6, 2014 in Rome, N.Y.

by Philip A. Vanno
Posted Jan. 14, 2014

Over the past 20 years, Lynne Angelicola, president of Roberts Office Interiors, has had to juggle running her Rome-based commercial office furniture dealership and interior design operation while taking care of her home and raising two children.

While she's had plenty of help from her husband, Robert, who runs the company's sales department, perhaps her biggest aid came in August when, after a lengthy application process, her business became certified as a Women Business Enterprise by the New York State Department of Economic Development.

"We were very excited when it was finally approved," Angelicola said. "This provides us with many new opportunities that we wouldn't have had before, and we have already started to see the effects."

Since receiving the distinction, which was instituted by the state to eliminate barriers and discrimination and expand the participation of women-owned businesses in the state contracting process, Roberts Office Interiors has landed a $400,000 contract to outfit a new building at SUNY Binghamton, and has a handful of other projects in the works with other SUNY schools.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo made it a priority last year to connect women and minority-owned businesses with state contracts. He announced in October that the Department of Economic Development had awarded a record 21.06 percent in state contracts to such firms, exceeding its goal of 20 percent.

In all, $1.48 billion in contracts from 97 public agencies and authorities were awarded to women and minority-owned business enterprises in fiscal year 2012-1013.

"The diversity in this state is one of our greatest assets … and we remain committed to leveling the playing field for thousands of small businesses and opening the door to greater economic activity and job growth," Cuomo said in a news release. "The success of thousands of minority- and women-owned firms seeking to compete and advance in the marketplace is critical to igniting economic growth and spurring prosperity in all of our communities statewide."

Another beneficiary of the program is Jennifer Keida, who started JRT Construction Services in Marcy three years ago in an attempt to capitalize off of the experience and contacts she accumulated during her 13 years as chief operations officer for her father's business, Standard Insulating Co.

While she still maintains her role with that company, Keida said she is very eager to expand her horizons with her new venture, especially since receiving her certification as a Women Business Enterprise last month.

"Being a woman in the construction field, I have worked just as hard as anyone, but this gives me an opportunity to showcase my talents that might have otherwise been overlooked," Keida said. "The doors this is going to open should make 2014 a good year."

Follow @OD_Vanno on Twitter or call him at 792-5074.

View the original article at http://www.uticaod.com/article/20140114/NEWS/140109694#ixzz2qU6GN0fe.