Small business can do business with state

That was the word from Hugh Quill, the department director, during a meeting with members of the Herald-Star editorial board and later with economic development officials from across east central Ohio at Historic Fort Steuben.

Quill, who spent 13 years as Montgomery County treasurer before accepting his current appointment from Gov. Ted Strickland more than three years ago, said, he's "spreading the gospel all around the state that there is business for small business to do with the state of Ohio."

Quill explained the department under Strickland has taken the point for pushing greater efficiency in state government. For instance, he said, there were multiple state-owned printing shops around Columbus all working at less than capacity. They have been combined. There were more than 24 state data centers with more than 5,000 computer servers, now also being combined. State offices were made to move from leased space back into state-owned buildings. Real estate management saved $8.5 million from the budget last year, Quill said.

He said it used to be that the state operated like a couple dozen separate departments, each spending its own money for purchasing, instead of working centrally and using the power of greater combined purchasing power to get better prices.

He said while the state general fund grew from $11 billion in 1990 to $24 billion in 2006, the administration is the first to cut $2 billion in costs. He said while the state budget grew at less than 5 percent in the current budget, the only reason for growth at all was the need for assistance programs to aid people facing tough times because of the economy.

Quill said Strickland has emphasized the need for performance management - staying on top of a vendor after a contract is awarded. Further, he said, the department has had to overcome a stigma among businesses. Too often, he said, businesses wouldn't try to get state work because of a perception that only certain privileged firms, or larger firms or politically connected firms could get state contracts; and certain vendors thought of the state as an entitlement program, not worrying about efficiencies.

"The DAS ideally is a place where fairness is protected," he said.

Local businesses around the state should realize the state spends $2 billion on goods and services a year, from food to computer servers, and any business can earn a contract.

"If you're going to come, though, make sure you sharpen your pencil and bring your best product," he said.

Quill sees the department continuing to be a must-use service for state and local government in the future amid tighter budgets and growing demands. For instance, he said, as health care changes, he expects the ability to tie together state government, higher education, counties, cities and more into a large state group as giving bargaining ability in obtaining coverage.

The East Central Economic Development group is a chance for state government and economic development leaders from the region to share information. Lisa Duvall, regional representative for Strickland, said of the meetings, "They're an opportunity for folks in our region to receive information they can use, to hear people from Columbus provide that information."

Duvall said the next meeting of the group is set for September in Steubenville and is expected to feature state Treasurer Kevin Boyce discussing state programs that give access to assistance for business.

About 25 people attended Tuesday's session.

(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)