12 



al Forest spent approximately 88 percent of their procurement dollars with Small 

 Businesses which is an average of approximately $5.5 million per year. Along with 

 this, our region requires that we set-aside 12 percent of the dollars on our Advance 

 Acquisition Plan for the Small Business Minority Program (commonly known as the 

 8(a) Program). In 1992, we spent $558,994 and in 1993 we spent $432,090 under this 

 program. The Black Hills National Forest received the Small Business Administra- 

 tion's "Agency of the Year" in 1990 and 1992 for our high level of participation with 

 small businesses. A significant amount of business is done with small businesses 

 through our Job Corps Center in Nemo, SD. 



I would be remiss if I did not mention that the employees of the Black Hills Na- 

 tional Forests are also members of the community. As such, we patronize small 

 business in the communities in which we live and work contributing directly to the 

 economic well being of these communities. 



Mr. Chairman, this concludes my statement. I'll be happy to respond to any ques- 

 tions from you or the Committee. 



