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Opportunities lie in federal contracts

Washington, D.C., counselor, Scranton native presents small business seminar.

By Shelby Fisk sfisk@scrantonedition.com
Scranton Edition Staff Writer / Photographer

There are opportunities for small businesses to succeed in Scranton, said Alan Chvotkin, executive vice president and counsel for Professional Services Council in Washington, D.C.

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Alan Chvotkin, executive vice president and counsel of Professional Service, Council, tells small business seminar participants the area is poised for success.

Shelby Fisk / Scranton Edition

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Chvotkin, a Scranton native, returned to his hometown Monday to speak at a Small Business Contracting Seminar hosted by U.S. Rep. Christopher P. Carney, D-Dimock Township, at Keystone College, La Plume.

The seminar provided the audience of more than 150 people representing area businesses with the necessary tools to succeed in federal contracting.

Business owners learned how to register their businesses with appropriate federal agencies, how to search for bidding opportunities, and what resources and organizations are available to help guide them through the process.

Chvotkin, who grew up in the Hill Section of Scranton and attended Central High School, said that he watched his father run a family bakery on Main Street in Dickson City while he was growing up. While Chvotkin was in high school he started working at the bakery. “That was my first experience with small business,” he said.

Chvotkin said that he was happy to return to the Scranton area, as he always is, whether to visit family or attend La Festa Italiana. This time his trip included visiting some family in the Scranton area and he was glad to be able to speak at the seminar.

“When I heard that the seminar was taking place,” he said “I readily volunteered.”

He said he hopes other small businesses will benefit from the seminar and that they will seek additional information on their own.

He said that while he believes the population in Scranton has decreased, the opportunities for small businesses are increasing.

At the seminar, Chvotkin discussed local economic benefits of government contracting. Professional Services Council is a national trade association for the federal contracting industry.

Small businesses have a challenge in Scranton, but government funding can help them succeed, he said.

“If they (small businesses) interject,” he said, “help is available.

“There are so many opportunities,” he continued. “It’s just about knowing the rules.

“Federal contracts are based on a system,” he said. In order to receive help, businesses must take the first step and approach the government. It’s up to businesses to reach out.

“Doing business with the federal government is good business,” Chvotkin said. “The federal government buys everything. The secret is to understand what the government needs and when the government needs it.”

He also noted the federal government is aggressively seeking businesses to meet its needs.

To learn more about Professional Services Council or about government contracting, visit pscouncil.org.