Open for business

The Austin Community College, the Austin Independent School District, Travis County and the city all want to work with the owners of small, minority and women-owned businesses. The Central Texas Small Business Partnership Conference next Wednesday, May 24, is a chance for those business owners to get to know the ins and outs of working with each of the entities. It takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Austin Community College Highland Campus at 6101 Airport Blvd., and will feature panels and “breakout sessions” in four categories: “construction, professional and consulting services, commodities, and technologies.” There will also be purchasing agents, buyers and “prime contractors from local government and state agencies,” on hand to answer questions.