Sep 5, 2024 Story by: Editor
Pennsylvania has seen a notable rise in state contracting dollars being directed to minority-owned businesses. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, under the leadership of Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, the state allocated nearly $700 million, with $136 million going to Black-owned and Hispanic-owned businesses. This marks a 30% increase from the $104 million recorded in the previous year.
The figures, disclosed through a news release, come in the wake of an executive order signed by Gov. Shapiro that established the Pennsylvania Advisory Council for Inclusive Procurement (PACIP). The 16-member council’s role is to guide state agencies on enhancing inclusivity in state contracting opportunities. Expanding access to funds for small and diverse businesses, according to the administration, promotes economic participation for all and helps build generational wealth.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, chair of PACIP, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Governor Shapiro and I recognize that small businesses and small, diverse businesses are the backbone of our economy and the beating heart of communities across the Commonwealth,” Davis said. “When we took office, we pledged to increase and open up new doors of opportunities for these businesses to compete for — and win — state contracts.”
He also noted that while progress has been made, there is more to be done. “I’m excited to see our efforts are already bearing fruit, but there is still much more work to be done as we work to expand economic opportunity and help Pennsylvania families build generational wealth,” Davis added.
The Shapiro-Davis administration has implemented several initiatives to make the procurement process more equitable for small businesses. This includes supporting Pennsylvania-based and Black-owned businesses by purchasing products from them on Amazon Business and creating the Mentor-Protégé Program, which helps Black-owned small businesses compete for state contracts. Additionally, the administration has expedited the certification process for small businesses through the Department of General Services (DGS), which manages the majority of state contracts.
“These record-breaking investments in small businesses reflect the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive economy. By empowering business owners of all backgrounds, we’re not only fostering economic growth but also ensuring that the benefits of prosperity are shared across every community in Pennsylvania,” said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil. Source: Yahoo News
