MAYOR NUTTER ANNOUNCES INCREASE IN CITY CONTRACTS AWARDED TO MINORITIES, WOMEN AND DISABLED-OWNED BUSINESSES

Philadelphia, November 4, 2010 – Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced an increase in City contracts awarded to Minorities, Women, and Disabled-owned businesses (M/W/DSBEs) during Fiscal Year (FY) 2010. According to the Office of Economic Opportunity’s (OEO) Fiscal 2010 Annual Report, the City awarded $956 million in contract awards to businesses in FY2010 and M/W/DSBEs received $214 million (22%) of these awards. This number is an increase from FY2009, when M/W/DSBEs received 20% of City awarded contracts.rnrnThe increase in City contracts awarded to Minorities, Women, and Disabled-owned businesses reflects a progression toward the OEO’s goal of increasing M/W/DSBE participation in City contract awards to 25% by the end of FY2011. This goal is detailed in OEO’s “Inclusion Works: Economic Opportunity Strategic Plan” that was launched on February 8, 2010. To date, M/W/DSBEs own 25% of the businesses in Philadelphia and account for 3% of the revenues generated.rnrn“It’s important to increase opportunities for minority, women and disable-owned businesses so every qualified business has a role in the revitalization of our local economy,” said Mayor Nutter. “The Inclusion Works plan is a critical component of the City’s broader economic development strategy of providing smarter service to the business community by making Philadelphia a more attractive choice for companies that are looking to start and grow here.”rnrn“Supporting the M/W/DSBE business community requires a structure of support in addition to city contracts,” said OEO Executive Director Angela Dowd-Burton. “Businesses need technical support and financial resources to respond to contract opportunities and our goal is to leverage City resources to help businesses with their start up and growth.”rnrnThe City’s Department of Commerce recently developed the Smart City. Smart Choice. campaign to develop, attract and retain businesses in Philadelphia. A critical part of this strategy is to improve the direct relationship businesses have with City government, with a special focus on improving services for M/W/DSBEs. OEO’s plan therefore calls for increasing M/W/DSBE’s share of the Philadelphia market by offering a wide spectrum of technical assistance, contracting opportunities, financing and other incentives that make Philadelphia a smart choice for M/W/DSBEs.rnrnThe Office of Economic Opportunity is increasing the availability and utilization of companies that can work with the City, quasi-public agencies, nonprofits and the private sector to create additional business opportunities for MWDBEs. The African American Chamber, the Enterprise Center, National Association of Minority Contractors, The Enterprise Center, Minority Contractors’ Roundtable, Minority Suppliers Development Council, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and PECO are some of the organizations working with the City to increase these opportunities.rnrnOn November 17, 2010 OEO and the African American Chamber will host a seminar to highlight a variety of major City projects that businesses will have an opportunity to participate in. On November 18, 2010, OEO will host a meeting of regional contractors to discuss strategies for strengthening business relationships between the minority and majority contracting community. On December 2, 2010, OEO will host a forum for nonprofits to facilitate supplier diversity programs.rnrnTo learn more about or register for these upcoming events, call 215-683-2057. The Fiscal Year 2010 Participation Report can be found at: www.phila.gov/oeo