Smaller businesses are focus of Chesapeake, Va., economic development event

 The city Thursday will host its first-ever meet-and-greet event for small businesses and those owned by women and minorities.

It will give these businesses a chance to get in on more than $150 million in public improvements in the city's Greenbrier section.

Chesapeake Economic Development Director Steven Wright said the city has sent more than 350 invitations to smaller contractors that could do the many streetscape, landscape and pedestrian-access projects planned in Greenbrier.

Wright said the event, which starts at 3 p.m. at the Chesapeake Conference Center, is open to all small-business owners interested in learning about the Greenbrier improvements.

"We believe the best way to help these businesses is to provide them with real opportunity," Wright said. "We have that opportunity."

In 2006 and 2007, about 6 percent of Chesapeake business was conducted with small businesses or firms owned by women, minorities or disabled people. Officials say they want to increase that figure.

"This is a city project that the city's going to control," Wright said.

Ben White, a senior business development manager for Chesapeake's economic development office, said smaller firms also will have a chance to meet with larger general contractors that could be working on the Greenbrier projects.