City unveils nearly $200 million in contracts to small and minority businesses

Cincinnati city officials, along with the local African American Chamber and other prominent organizations, have announced more than $200 million in contracts open to small and minority businesses, in part to boost the percentage of minority-owned companies that do work with the city. The city unveiled more than 700 contract opportunities recently during a meeting hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky African American Chamber and the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati. “The City has provided a list of immediate, short and long term projects that include a broad range of trades and industries such as professional services, supplies, equipment installation, and construction. These contracts are sized to allow greater participation from smaller companies and can encourage collaborative efforts with other business owners,” says Rea Waldon, Senior Vice President of Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship at the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati. The contract opportunities are part of the Small Business Enterprise program and are open to any small business with a fixed office in Hamilton County. Find out more about those opportunities here. The city’s announcement followed a revamping of the program, with input from the African-American, Hispanic and Regional chamber, minority business owners and others. “We are making progress toward our goal of having more city contracts accessible for qualified SBE business owners. The City promised a full scope of business opportunities that are sized to minority and small business owners’ capacity giving them the best opportunity to compete for City contracts,” said African American Chamber President Sean Rugless.  Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: The African-American Chamber of Commerce