As a resource center, McNeil credits their affiliates as key components of the DBRC. Their umbrella organization are the Riverside Center for Innovation, the Small Business Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh, the MBEWBE Governmental Committee, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Veteran’s Chamber of Commerce, Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify and the Allegheny County MWBDE Office. Each of these groups play a significant role in our success,” she pointed out. Memberships in the Chambers of Commences and involvement with the Allegheny County Economic Development Department, Port Authority, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, PJ Dick, the Massaro Corporation and the Government Agency Coordination Office also are important to the DBRC.
Seminars, networking opportunities, advocacy for its members, notification of contracting opportunities and the provision of meeting space are other roles they play while assisting the entrepreneurs they work with.
Program coordinator of the DBRC for three years, McNeil views her biggest accomplishment as beefing up the workshops and trainings as well as linking businesses to contracting opportunities. Just last year alone she said close to 48 local events were held for DBRC members and there were more than 230 contract listings and referrals made.
Last week the center held an informative legal workshop hosted by the attorney firm of Tucker Arensberg and on September 16, in conjunction with the MWDBE Governmental Committee, a “Certification Information Initiative” is scheduled from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the IBEW Conference Center located at 5 Hot Metal Street. As chairperson of the Certification Committee the Governmental Committee subcommittee hosting the event, McNeil encourages members of the DBRC and other small business owners fitting their criteria to attend the workshop. “MBE/WBE certification is important in this region,” stressed McNeil. “There is a lot of work occurring and services needed that require certification. The purpose of this workshop is to provide potential firms with information pertaining to the various types of certifications available.”
She said representatives from the following agencies will be on hand; the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council, the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, the Pennsylvania Uniform Certification Program, the Regional Housing Legal Services, the Small Business Administration and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council. She noted that some of the agencies have a free process and others have a cost. Even though the event is free, registration is required. Paula B. Castleberry, 412-488-0605 is the contact person.
A former banker, McNeil says she has worked in the non-profit, business and workforce development arena for over 15 years. “I enjoy working with the service providers and assisting the entrepreneurs in their efforts.” A Monessen native she says she knows the struggles and needs of the Mon Valley.
“I have seen the decline of the steel mills, but most recently I have witnessed the activities that have taken place in the Homestead area with the development of the Waterfront.” For 13 years she was a part of the Mon Valley Initiative where she served as a community organizer, business development coordinator, loan fund manager and her last position with the workforce/business development department. “I have a passion for what I do,” she said.
In her role with the DBRC she not only assists businesses in the Mon Valley, but in the 10 county Southwestern Pennsylvania regions, which encompasses a multiplicity of terrene.
Because of her rounded experience and knowledge of the area, McNeil says it enhances her capabilities to assist DBRC clients. “Everything we do is about connecting our clients with available resources rather through referrals or the many seminars or programs we host that focuses on their needs. Needs that address legal services, accounting, taxes, technology, information and insurances and bonding.”
The Riverside Center for Innovation is one of DBRCs’ biggest allies. Housed in the center, which is located within Pittsburgh’s Technology Zone, the mission of the 22-year-old RCI is to work to create a healthy environment for the region’s entrepreneurs and small businesses to prosper by providing incubation support, training, innovation strategies, and brownfield development.
The RCI is located at 700 River Avenue on the North Shore. The DBRC office is suite 510.
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