The City of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management (DWM) recently hosted its annual Small Business Waterworks Forum at its downtown headquarters, welcoming more than 60 small business owners from across the region. The event provided a platform for local entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and explore upcoming contracting opportunities with the City.
Commissioner Greg Eyerly opened the forum emphasizing DWM’s commitment to transparency and inclusion in procurement.
“This forum is a chance for businesses of all sizes to understand what’s ahead, identify potential partners, and prepare competitive bids that meet the City’s goals for inclusion and impact,” said Commissioner Eyerly.
Deputy Commissioner Yolanda Broome reinforced the importance of collaboration between the City and the business community to advance Atlanta’s infrastructure goals. Representatives from key DWM divisions shared insights on how to do business with the City of Atlanta, answered questions, and discussed priority areas where vendor participation is needed.
Attendees engaged directly with City staff, exchanged contact information, and explored potential partnerships. The forum also highlighted opportunities available through DWM’s Small Business Development Program, which supports equitable participation and helps small firms build capacity to compete for City contracts.
“We really appreciate this event for our firm,” said Josue Rosales with the Rosales Financial Group. “We believe that in order to really win some of these requests for proposals, we need to meet with the stakeholders.”
The Small Business Waterworks Forum continues to serve as a vital resource for small businesses—offering access to information, networking, and preparation for future City projects.
Learn more about DWM’s Small Business Development Program and upcoming bid opportunities at atlantawatershed.org or follow @ATLWatershed on social media.
