Forsyth Co. extends local small business initiative

CUMMING - Forsyth County is making an extra effort to provide more
opportunities to local small businesses by extending the Local Small Business Initiative (LSBI) through December 31, 2011.

The LSBI is a program designed to promote opportunities to local small businesses and has been in place since April 2009.

The ultimate goal of the LSBI is to return as much taxpayer money back into the local economy as possible by giving preference to local suppliers.

"The LSBI aims to return taxpayer funds back to the local economy in a relatively short time frame," said Procurement Director Donna Kukarola. "We also have a goal of providing more opportunities to Forsyth County businesses."

In approving the extension, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners adjusted the definition of a small business. Under the approved LSBI extension, eligible businesses may now have 50 full time equivalent employees and annual gross receipts of $7.5 million over the previous three-year period.

Under any applicable solicitation or bid, vendors desiring to receive local preference through the LSBI Policy will be required to demonstrate they satisfy all of the requirements. This must be done each time a vendor submits a bid, quote or proposal and would like to be considered under the LSBI.

For solicitations that are under $100,000, a qualified Local Small Business that submits a responsive and reasonable price receives a local preference credit of three percent.

However, there are some exclusions under certain circumstances.

More information about the LSBI is available at the Forsyth County Purchasing
Department page at www.forsythco.com.