Technical Help Offered to Minority-Owned Firms

As part of a government-funded program, minority-owned firms in Ventura County are being sought to receive 30 hours of free technical assistance and 100 hours of free ISO 9000 Quality Control Manual preparation training.

The program, dubbed Jump Start 2000, is sponsored by the Oxnard College Center for Economic and Community Development and the Ventura County Minority Business Development Center.

The program is designed to help businesses grow and increase the local work force. Training services focus on development of procurement opportunities, loan packaging, minority qualifications and international expansion.

To be eligible, a firm must be at least 51% owned by an ethnic minority; be a manufacturing, wholesale or distribution company; have at least five employees or be willing to create a new position; and be interested in international sales or imports.

Interested firms should schedule an appointment by calling 382-5206, 382-5208 or 986-5831. The deadline is July 30.