By: MDA Staff Writer | April 21, 2026
CLARKSDALE, MS — Entrepreneurs and small business owners across Coahoma County will have a unique opportunity to learn how to break into the government contracting space at an upcoming training event hosted at Coahoma Community College.
The “Government Contracting 101 – Path to Procurement” workshop is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the B.F. McLaurin Vocational-Technical Center (Gallery), located at 3240 Friars Point Road.
The in-person event will be led by Jessica Simmons, Northwest Mississippi APEX Advisor with the Mississippi Development Authority, who will guide participants through the fundamentals of securing government contracts at the federal, state, and local levels.
Designed for new and early-stage contractors—as well as businesses looking to strengthen their competitive edge—the training will provide step-by-step instruction on navigating the government marketplace. Attendees will gain insight into essential topics such as registering with SAM.gov, bid matching, and strategies to pursue contracts with confidence.
According to event organizers, the workshop is intended to help small businesses better position themselves for procurement opportunities while improving compliance and overall readiness.
Participants can also expect hands-on guidance from certified procurement advisors, along with practical tools that can help open doors to new revenue streams through government partnerships.
Seating for the event is limited, and registration is required. Those interested in attending are encouraged to sign up in advance through the Mississippi APEX Accelerator website or by contacting Jessica Simmons directly at 662-486-8487 or via email at jsimmons@mississippi.org.
Info Credit: Mississippi Development Authority Minority and Small Business Development Division