FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

 

 

 

Contact:

Robert L. Robinson, Executive Director

Raleigh Business & Technology Center

900 S. Wilmington St.

Raleigh, NC 27601

(919) 836-8618

e-mail: brobinson@raleightbtc.com

 

 

November 1, 2004

 

RBTC’s New ‘Plan Room’ Will Be a Benefit for Contractors

 

Raleigh, NC -- A new Plan Room and a new Resource Service Center/Business Library being created at the Raleigh Business & Technology Center (RBTC) will service the needs and requirements of prime construction contractors and minority, women and small-business contractors. The RBTC established this Plan Room under the sponsorship of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), City of Raleigh, Wake County Public Schools System, Wake Technical Community College, N.C. Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) and with the support of the UNC System.

 

The Plan Room will be staffed and fully operational January 3, 2005.

 

How the Plan Room works:

  • Plan Room equipment receives graphical files and plans from architects, planners and owners, and updates construction project lists and forecasts.
  • The RBTC’s online “Virtual Plan Room” allows members access to Plan Room data from any computer, 24 hours a day.
  • Plan Room Copy Services provide hard copies of prints and allow members to take the job home for takeoffs and estimating at their own business locations.
  • Plans & Specs Photocopying allows members to have, close at hand, the portions of those documents that pertain to their particular work specialty.
  • The 24-Hour Hot Line will have up-to-date information when members need it most: at bid time.
  • Projects-Out-To-Bid Bulletins from all over North Carolina allow members to identify potential projects for bidding outside of Wake County.
  • Project Updates at the Plan Room bulletin board keep members apprised of all new projects, bidders’ lists and other critical project information.
  • Knowledgeable Plan Room Staff can answer questions on any Plan Room project.

 

Whether contractors are inquiring about projects “rumored” to be out to bid or checking the latest facts about projects on Bid Day, our staff has access to the timeliest information available on projects. Additionally, Plan Room personnel will assist in the management of solicitations to certified MBEs, WBEs, small businesses and emerging construction contracting companies.

 

The business service gaps that will be filled by the RBTC Plan Room for construction contractors and small and emerging business owners will be significant. However, many of these business owners may not have the critical business tools necessary to sustain their businesses’ viability if they lack in any of the following proficiencies:

 
  • Bidding and scheduling
  • Financial planning
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Human resources
  • Writing and adjusting business plans and forecasts
  • Coordinating required bonding support documentation
  • Planning and managing communications and marketing
  • Website maintenance
  • PowerPoint presentations

 

The Plan Room will facilitate the above mentioned services and more for RBTC members.

 

Plan Room membership will require a mandatory orientation and the completion of a questionnaire and preparation of a member profile.  The orientation will also include instructions on how to access projects and to enhance critical business skills. 

 

Classes will be offered to members in such areas as Bidding and Estimating; computer Software to include Microsoft Word and Excel and business planning.  They will also have access to a video program on North Carolina’s Single Prime & Construction Management at Risk procedures, laws and regulations.

 

The Center will schedule regular training on a construction software package that will allow business owners to control construction projects from start to finish. This software will enhance contractors’ business skills in initial brainstorming sessions to the day-to-day updating. 

 

Non-mandatory orientation modules include networking, industry information and updates to enhance the contractors’ professional development and procurement opportunities with general contractors and prime contractors. 

 

In addition to the Plan Room, the RBTC will combine and establish the widest list of certified minority, women, small businesses and HUB zone contractors in an effort to offer their prime customers the most exposure to MBE communities. RBTC managers and consultants will then provide these MBE/WBE contractors technical and managerial assistance in project bidding and estimating, scheduling, quantity take-offs and general project management.

 

About the Resource Service Center/Business Library

RBTC’s new Resource Service Center/Business Library will be available for members away from their offices or while traveling. All services are designed to improve members’ proficiencies through business counseling, management and education and technology development – allowing them to more successfully meet challenges, manage change and plan for the future.

 

The Resource Service Center and the Business Library offers:

  • Free and confidential business counseling
  •  A modern, environmentally controlled business environment
  • Low cost rental for conference rooms (3)
  • Access to professional marketing and communications services
  • Break room
  • Boardroom
  • Entrepreneurial library
  • Computer lab
  • High-speed color copier, printer and fax
  • High-speed Internet
  • Video monitor security system
  • Audiovisual equipment
  • Local telephone use

 

About the RBTC

Our mission is to provide entrepreneurs, start-ups and owners of small businesses the tools and the blueprint for commercial and financial success.  RBTC management and partners have extensive experience in economic development program management, and offer business counseling, human resources and technology development services that will enable emerging businesses to successfully meet their challenges, manage change and plan for the future.

 

For more information, contact Robert L. Robinson at (919) 836-8618, or visit www.raleighbtc.com.