Rome, NY (WIBX) - Congressman Richard Hanna was at Griffiss Institute, in Rome, to help local business owners compete for government contracts.

About 50 business owners attended the event, to meet with contracting experts from Washington D.C. and the state's Office of General Services

Hanna says holding contracting seminars are a great way to help small businesses earn contracts while directly bringing money to the Mohawk Valley.

"We're a competitive community," Hanna said. "If these people can engage in contracting with the federal government- anybody that does in the community- the dollars will be spent here, some of it will stay here, and that's all good."

According to Hanna, the U.S. government will spend nearly $535 billion this year on construction projects, supplies and technology, among others.

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