WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced today that he has teamed up with Teaming to Win and the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation to make a conference available to interested southern West Virginians via videoconference from Fairmont, WV. Teaming to Win is a non-profit organization which brings businesses face to face with government contractors as part of efforts to advance and improve small business prospects in West Virginia. The Teaming to Win Educational Conference Congressman Rahall made available is titled "Department of Homeland Security Open for Business in West Virginia" and will be broadcast free of charge to all interested southern West Virginians who register for the conference.

"I worked hard to ensure that the folks in southern West Virginia are able to attend this conference along with our friends in northern West Virginia through videoconferencing technology," said Rahall. "I believe this conference will be a great tool for our local small businesses interested in working with the Department of Homeland Security to protect our Nation."

The conference is targeted to small businesses interested in Homeland Security business development activities, such as technology, security, biometrics, software, hardware, data storage and encryption. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Advocate Joseph Capuano will conduct the presentation. Mr. Capuano will be discussing how any business person, located anywhere in the country, with internet access, can use the DHS website to explore business development opportunities and can gain access to Homeland Security contracts.

"This conference will help our small business community become aware of a wide variety of new business opportunities," said Rahall. "I am always looking for ways to increase jobs and bolster economic development and I am excited about the possibilities that this conference holds for our local businesses."

Mr. Capuano will conduct an interactive session filled with practical information to help local businesses. Teaming to Win Board Member Belinda Sheridan said, "We're very excited to have the Department of Homeland Security as part of our educational program. This will certainly be a great benefit to the many West Virginia businesses who want to bring DHS work back home."

The videoconference will be broadcast to the RESA I building, the old Federal Courthouse, in downtown Beckley. It will take place on Wednesday, March 9, from 9am until 2pm. Those interested in participating in Beckley should register, free of charge, online at http://www.teamingtowin.org/ and arrive at RESA I by 8:45. There is a link with information on the conference on the right side of the web page. The local contact for the conference is Carol Morgan, Executive Director of RESA I. She can be reached at 1-800-766-7372.

"I also want to thank RESA I and Carol Morgan for hosting the videoconference," concluded Rahall.