Selling to the government expands business

The federal government market is worth nearly $100 billion in sales to small businesses each year, time to get your piece of the action.

Many companies seek new market segments to expand their business. Selling products and services to the U.S Government (as well as State & Local government) is a market segment that offers wonderful opportunities. Companies may overlook this segment because it is perceived to be "mysterious or cumbersome" to figure out how to connect with various government agencies.

There are multiple experts and organizations throughout the State that can offer assistance and guidance through the process. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC's) are no-cost assistance services designed to help businesses market products and services to Federal, state and local governments. 

Serving a ten county region on the Northwest side of Michigan and the entire Upper Peninsula is Northwest Michigan PTAC. On the east side of Northern Michigan, Procurement Technical Assistance Center of Northeast Michigan Consortium. Both organizations assist businesses who want to sell products and services to the federal, state, and local government.

Michigan State University Extension partner Northern Lakes Economic Alliance is another resource for assisting businesses on how to sell their products and services to the Government. Through their assistance several businesses in Northern Michigan are successfully selling products to the government.

For example: Armor Express (personal protection products) in Central Lake and Fresh Baby (healthy food & related products for children) in Petoskey. These businesses have worked with Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC's) to help with improving and growing their government sales.

To learn about what PTAC can do for you, view upcoming workshops or find your local center, visit the PTACS of Michigan webpage

Michigan State University Extension has had a unique relationship with the regional economic development organization Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) for more than 20 years. Recognizing the strength of combining resources, this partnership focuses on economic development, entrepreneurship growth and community infrastructure throughout a four-county region in the northwest Lower Peninsula, specifically Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties. As a result, the NLEA utilizes resources offered through MSU Extension as it provides leadership to state-wide programs sponsored by MSU Extension.

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