Business Insights

On February 9, Democrats and Republicans agreed on a budget deal to fund essential services and increase public spending by $300 billion over a two-year period, ending a shutdown of the federal government.

It’s no secret that government agencies are always on the lookout for new technologies that can help improve efficiency during the purchasing process. While the pace of change in many procurement departments has historically been slow – think the gradual adoption of electronic bid submission technology – today’s purchasing managers are often expected to accomplish more with smaller budgets, and this expectation can prompt a more rapid shift toward new solutions that can also benefit vendors.   

Across the United States, state and federal government agencies are providing significant funding for infrastructure repair and construction. By investing heavily in things like highway repair and maintenance, bridge construction and water and sewage system upgrades, governments are creating billions of dollars’ worth of opportunities for business across the nation.

Across the United States, cities big and small are exploring how to reinvent themselves economically, culturally and structurally, as they adapt to the realities of the 21^st century. This quest for reinvention is driven by the many challenges that cities currently face, such as outdated infrastructure, a changing economy, and new priorities for residents - all of which are prompting authorities to figure out how to ensure urban areas remain safe and accommodating, both now and in the future.

Are you a foreign firm looking to conduct business with the United States government but aren’t sure where to start?

The Trump administration’s long-awaited tax reform legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), was passed by Congress and signed into law on December 22, 2017. Much has been written about the impact these reforms will have on corporate tax rates and middle-income workers, but small business owners want to know: how will Trump’s tax cuts affect them?

Across the state of Illinois, local governments often prioritize the procurement of emergency service resources over other goods and services to ensure that the men and women who work in the police, fire and EMS fields are properly trained and equipped. To purchase the specialized equipment and services required by the many departments and agencies operating in these fields, bidding opportunities are posted at all levels of government, a majority of which are available for private vendors to compete for.

Are you a small business looking to jump into public sector bidding, but don’t know where to start? There are a number of programs and associations that can help you begin your journey into the public sector. One of the best associations to contact is the Small Business Association (SBA). The SBA has a number of tools and resources to help companies begin government bidding and one great program they offer is the Mentor-Protégé program. With the help of the SBA and other companies who already have experience working with the government, you can learn how to successfully navigate the procurement process.

In this digital era, people expect to be able to obtain news and information in an instant; they expect real-time updates and the availability of accurate information to help plan their days. As our digital landscape continues to expand, it’s important for government to keep up with these changes and provide citizens with the tools they need to keep up with the activities of their government.

On December 14, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will decide the future of the internet.