By Jenny Callison
Enquirer contributor

Small businesses can shop for opportunities available in the coming Kroger garage project at a meeting Feb. 26.

Ellington Management Services, the firm overseeing economic inclusion aspects of the project, will host the general project information session.

The meeting has three objectives, project manager Kia McWhorter said.

"We want to inform contractors and the community of general and ongoing bid contract opportunities available," she said.

"We also want to provide small, minority- and women-owned contractors, suppliers and vendors with general and descriptive information on the entire scope of the project, and we want to open up the floor for questions and answers."

McWhorter said Ellington wants to engage small and minority-owned businesses in learning more about the project and hearing what bid contract opportunities will be available.

The first session will cover general information; future sessions will address specifics.

Construction of the multilevel parking garage at Central Parkway and Vine Street is scheduled to begin this spring.

The meeting will take place 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Este Conference Center, 6270 Este Ave in Carthage. Refreshments will be served.

For information, call McWhorter at 554-4012, ext. 11.

E-mail jcallison@zoomtown.com.