www.ny.gov - DEVELOPING MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

DEVELOPING MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

For nearly two decades, New York's Division of Minority Owned Business Development has been responsible for promoting the inclusion of minority and women-owned business in state contracting. Unfortunately, the Division’s record requires improvement. Only three percent of state contracts in 2005 were awarded to women or minority-owned businesses, even though they make up more than a quarter of all business owners in the state. In addition, almost 57 percent of New York City construction firms are owned by minorities or women, but only 29 percent of the construction dollars are directed to such companies.

Even before taking office, Governor Spitzer recognized the important steps that need to be taken in this area. During his campaign, he asked Lieutenant Governor Paterson to make increasing the number of MWBE state contracts a major priority and, shortly after taking office, the Governor signed Executive Order #8, which called for the creation of the MWBE Leadership Council and the MWBE Corporate Roundtable. Both will be chaired by Lieutenant Governor Paterson.

The MWBE Leadership Council will be comprised of commissioners and executive directors from New York State agencies, departments and authorities. The purpose of the MWBE Leadership Council is to seek recommendations from state agencies and public authorities which award business contracts to the private sector on how to increase the participation of MWBE in the state procurement process. The council will:

Identify best practices for state agencies promoting MWBE business participation;
Identify counter-productive or unfavorable regulations, statutory or otherwise, which inhibit MWBE contracting;
Recommend ways to improve inter-governmental cooperation to achieve the goals of the MWBE program; and
Evaluate the practices of public authorities in promoting the participation of certified MWBE, including, but not limited to, underwriters, legal counsel, financial services firms and consultants.

The MWBE Corporate Roundtable will consist of 16 members, including the Director of the Division of MWBE, the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development, and thirteen business executives representing corporations which have shown a commitment to contracting with MWBE firms. The MWBE Corporate Roundtable will meet quarterly and provide recommendations to the State on increasing MWBE contracting.. The roundtable will:

Explore technological improvements to facilitate and track MWBE contracting;
Set goals for MWBE utilization;
Benchmark and accurately record MWBE utilization; and
Train state procurement officers to ensure full understanding of the MWBE program and opportunities.

To see if your business qualifies go to Division of Minority and Women Owned Business Development.