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LIVE FROM MED WEEK: A Chat with Thomas Costa of Coastal Group

by nicoj, Community Moderator

  • Created: September 29, 2011, 3:13 pm
  • Updated: September 30, 2011, 11:26 am
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It’s Nico with SBA’s Office of Communications and Public Liaison. This week I’m live blogging from the 29th Annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week conference in Washington, DC.

After catching a panel on international markets (Access to Markets: Doing Business in Latin America), I spoke to Thomas Costa of Coastal Group, a HUB Zone-certified small business based in New York State.

                                                             Thomas Costa of Coastal Group

                                                                Above: Thomas Costa of Coastal

What does your business do?

We do design-build contracting work for a number of federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Parks Service, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. There is a strong construction element.

Has the SBA Helped You?

Being a certified 8(a) and a HUB zone company has allowed us to be very successful in bidding for and winning contracts. We’ve done very well even during the recession. Our company’s grown 40% in the last year to about 130 employees, and we have offices across the country.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s MED Week?

Learning about international business opportunities. We don’t do any international work now but that’s something I’m interested in learning more about. The panel on Latin American business opportunities was great.

Sponsored by the SBA and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), MED week gives minority business owners from across the country an opportunity to learn about growing their business, accessing capital and new markets, hearing from top Administration officials, and networking with other business owners. 

About the Author

nicoj's Profile Picture
My name is Nico and I'm serving as a moderator for the Community.
Tags: Official SBA News and Views, Open For Business

Comments

JackPlumming | Window Shopper | 5/13/2012 - 7:13 pm

I suppose minorities are people with unnatural sexual orientation and some
other parts of our society.
Professional Web Site: the LG Optimus 2X

BenDallas | Window Shopper | 5/4/2012 - 6:01 pm

Mr. Nico, can you please explain to me what "minority business" means? Is
this about national aspect and a sex? In case of the first one, I'm a
European who lives in US so can I be names as minority?
Professional Web Site: What is a Landing Page

gianez | Window Shopper | 12/6/2011 - 12:00 pm

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