2010 Bonding Prep Program and Application
Date: February 2 – March 9, 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Rd., Warrensville Heights, OH 44128
The 2010 Bonding Prep Program, presented by the Commission on Economic Inclusion and the Surety & Fidelity Association of America, will be offered one night per week over six weeks beginning Feb. 2 through March 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Corporate College East in Warrensville Heights. To be eligible, companies must be at least 51 percent owned, controlled and managed, by one or more minority individuals or group members. The bonding prep segment of the program will consist of two integrated components: an Educational Workshop Component and a Bond Readiness Component.
Educational Workshop Component
This offers a set of comprehensive “primer courses” in areas that range from construction accounting to estimating and project management, all of which are designed to provide MBEs with valuable information to improve operating efficiencies and, therefore, bond-ability.
Bond Readiness Component
This consists of one-on-one interactions with surety bond professionals, underwriters and other bond producers who work closely with qualified MBEs who meet the bond readiness standards. They will then prepare the necessary materials for completing a bond application. They also conduct a bond readiness assessment, suggested solutions to bond-ability issues, and refer participants to any needed technical assistance that can address deficiencies hindering the successful underwriting of a bond.
At the conclusion of the formal program, the participating surety bond professionals will provide the credit-ready MBEs with one-on-one “deep dive” sessions and prescriptive plans documenting further steps the MBE should take to increase the company's capacity to receive a bond.
Small Business Credit
In addition to this year’s Bonding Prep Program, we are adding a Small Business Credit component that is being administered by the Minority Contractors Business Assistance Program (MCBAP) and the Small Business 
Development Center (SBDC) of Greater Cleveland. It will be held Feb. 2, 2010. The Small Business Credit component costs $49 before Jan. 26 and $69 after that. Payable by PayPal or checks made payable to the Economic Growth Foundation. If paying by check, send payment to: Economic Growth Foundation, c/o Brian F. Barnes, The Higbee Building, 100 Public Square, Suite 210, Cleveland, Ohio, 44113.
For questions, contact Brian Barnes at (216) 592-2261 or bbarnes@gcpartnership.com.
Registration is now closed.