1. PREFERRED VENDOR LIST
What?
Why?
How?
Who?
When?

2. What is the Vendor Community Partnership?
The Vendor Community Partnership (VCP) is a non-profit organization founded to create a business ecosystem* to address the unemployment of the underserved community, promote small businesses, and contribute to the strengthening of the City of Baltimore’s community and overall economic engine. Learn more about VCP.
Per Wikipedia, a business ecosystem is an economic community supported by a foundation of interacting organizations and individuals—the organisms of the business world. The economic community produces goods and services of value to customers, who are themselves members of the ecosystem.

3. WORKING FOR “ONE CITY ONE BALTIMORE”
Why VCP exists and Why the Vendor Preferred List?
WORKING FOR “ONE CITY ONE BALTIMORE”
Promote revitalization through increased economic activity
Stimulate job creation
Increase business assets
Reverse impact of crime
Decrease liability

4. PREFERRED VENDOR BENEFITS
Why Vendors Should Apply to be included in the Vendor Preferred Program?
PREFERRED VENDOR BENEFITS
Direct Access to Downtown Partnership of Baltimore businesses
Monthly Marketing Newsletter to Downtown Partnership by VCP
Increased Sales
Expanded Pool of Resources Prepared to Work
Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for Hiring Ex-Offenders ($2,400 per person)
Support Services for Employees

5. How will VCP create a business ecosystem in Baltimore City?
Step 1: The Customers
VCP is establishing a Preferred Vendor List with the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore*. The Downtown Partnership members (“VCP Customers”) include banks, professional services, real estate firms, hospital systems, and law firms…just to name a few who are continually in need of various products and services.
The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s Board voted to support the VCP’s Preferred Vendor List, which will include a diverse group of businesses across hundreds of industries from which the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore members (business and residents) can access to procure products and services.
See the Endorsement from Downtown of Partnership of Baltimore’s Director, Kirby Fowler.
*The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore is your connection to everything that’s happening in Maryland’s largest business center, cultural district, and fastest-growing neighborhoods.  Additionally, their ongoing commitment to economic development cascades across its large business members, small businesses and residents. See their website to learn more:

6. How will VCP create a business ecosystem in Baltimore City?
Step 2: The Preferred Vendors
Baltimore-area businesses will be invited to apply, via mail and social media, to have the access to new revenue potential provided by the Preferred Vendor List.
The Preferred Vendor List will be limited to only 2 or 3 businesses within each industry category to ensure ample opportunity for our vendors. Inclusion on the VCP Preferred Vendor List will be based on the first businesses that apply and meet all VCP requirements.
Prospective vendors will agree to specific requirements that continue the business ecosystem:
Pay Annual Application Fee ($250 <$1 million revenue / $1,000 >$1 million revenue.)
Hire at least 1 new full-time employee from Baltimore City’s underserved communities.*
Continually meet all VCP criteria that ensures our commitment to the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore to only include reputable businesses that will provide excellent products and services. See the full list of requirements..

7. How will VCP create a business ecosystem in Baltimore City?
Step 3: Emerging Workforce
Businesses approved for the Preferred Vendor List will hire their full time employee within 90 days and will provide ongoing proof of employment to VCP.
The new employees will be provided ongoing support services they need to be most productive including training and social services counseling such as finances, transportation, childcare, parole and probation guidance, etc.
As a result, Baltimore will have more fully productive citizens.

8. Who will be involved in the VCP Business Ecosystem?
Register & Screen Preferred Vendors
Coordinate and Report Program Results
PREFERRED VENDORS
NON-PROFIT PROVIDERS
Hire Emerging Workforce
Training and Counseling Referrals
Train and Prepare Emerging Workforce
For Success
CUSTOMERS
EMERGING WORKFORCE
Hire and Endorse Preferred Vendors
Support VCP
Attain Success Through Employment
Contribute to the Community
STRONG COMMUNITIES
Create Jobs
Grow Small Businesses

9. PREFERRED VENDOR ENTRY LEVEL JOB EXAMPLES
Who might be employed because of the VCP Vendor Preferred List?
PREFERRED VENDOR ENTRY LEVEL JOB EXAMPLES
Food Services
Cook
Dishwasher
Server
Construction / Trades
Apprentice
Entry Level Helper
Mechanic
Insurance
Customer Service
Sales Agent
Child Care / Education
Food Service
Bus Driver
Teacher’s Helper
Moving and Storage
Mover
Warehouse/Storage Clerk
CDL Drivers

10. PREFERRED VENDOR ENTRY LEVEL JOB EXAMPLES
Who might be employed because of the VCP Vendor Preferred List?
PREFERRED VENDOR ENTRY LEVEL JOB EXAMPLES
Hospitality
Front Desk Clerk
Operator
Food Services
Housecleaning
Public Administration
Receptionist/Office Clerk Customer Service
Security Officer
Professional, Scientific & Technical
Administrative Assistant
Mailroom Clerk
Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Hospitals/Healthcare
Receptionist / Office Clerk Pharmacy Tech
Paramedic
Home Health Aid

11. When will the VCP Program Begin?
Summer VCP Solicit, Validate and Enroll Vendors and Social Services Providers.
VCP will host a launch party for the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore to introduce some of our preferred vendors. A variety of the VCP preferred vendors will be invited to participate and showcase their products/services.
Fall Begin Monthly Marketing / Newsletter to Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

12. BECOME A VCP PREFERRED VENDOR
APPLY NOW
CLICK HERE

13. Stephanie Carter, Director
Allen Burrus, Director
Stephanie Carter, Director
3000 Druid Park Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215
(443)