? Construction on the Croton Filtration Plant in Van Cortlandt Park is moving ahead and Bronx businessmen and women want to be included in the financial gain.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce hosted a fair at the Hutchinson Metro Center Thursday aimed at helping small companies bid for contracts at the new water plant. Hundreds of businesses and potential employees attended the event. The chamber is placing special emphasis on assisting minority- and women-owned businesses.

Business owners have until June 22 to submit their proposals to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which is building the water plant and hiring contractors. The DEP will announce its decisions in August.