EIS in the News!

Charles Schlapfer knows how to build infrastructure projects from experience, but he's been glad to have help in finding contracts for his clients.

After serving as the general manager of a masonry and landscaping supply business, Schlapfer decided to launch a manufacturers representation business, Brick-based Environmental Infrastructure Solutions LLC.

Schlapfer said he wanted to focus on publicly funded projects, with a focus on environmental development, stormwater, brownfield and solar projects.

"I view that as one of the few remaining growth sectors in construction in our area," Schlapfer said.
He turned to the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers to learn about public contracting opportunities. He knew about the organization because it had helped his previous employer recover from the recession.

"The SBDC is a huge help to firms like mine of limited resources and manpower to help navigate those waters," Schlapfer said.

The centers have helped him pursue contracts from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Monmouth County and the City of Trenton.

"They provide a service to small business that I don't know of any other entity that does what they do at the level they provide," Schlapfer said. "They're a very underrated treasure to small businesses."

E-mail to: andrewk@njbiz.com
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