SAN DIEGO -- An effort to help small contractors bid on city public works projects under $1 million was announced Thursday by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Councilman Tony Young.

"San Diego has plenty of work for small contractors -- plumbers, electricians, landscapers, concrete contractors, environmental monitoring firms and other construction trades," Sanders said.

Over the next six months, the city will put out to bid nearly $18 million in projects for small contractors, he said.

To engage more small contractors to take part in municipal projects, the city created a Web site, www.SDSmallContracts.com, and will begin airing public service announcements on City TV Channel 24.

The Web site is aimed at reaching San Diego contractors for jobs under $1 million, according to Sanders. It provides contractors with general information on projects, helps them pre-qualify, assists with bonding and paperwork and gives them access to Small Business Administration resources.

Young said it is especially important now to reach out to struggling small businesses.

"Small businesses are really the life blood of the city of San Diego and we want to make sure that we do everything we can to give them an opportunity to participate in the business of the city of San Diego," Young said.