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Goal WESTCHESTER INCREASES CONTRACTS WITH WOMEN,
MINORITY BUSINESSES Seminar
program simplifying process of working with government A growing number of women and minority-owned firms are doing business with Westchester County, thanks to a county-run outreach program that simplifies the government contract process and shows people how to compete for jobs. In fact, the number jumped 33 percent from 1999 to 2000, and a further increase is expected this year. Click Here for More Information about Doing Business with the County “For too many years, the diversity of Westchester wasn’t represented in the distribution of contracts -- and we wanted to change that,” said County Executive Andy Spano, who initiated the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program last year. “It’s all about pulling people up economically and making sure everyone gets the same opportunities.” “It should be equal opportunity for all,” Spano said. “Over the years, certain groups had felt excluded and we just wanted to create a level playing field. This program takes them step by step through the bidding process and gives tips about how to successfully compete.” From 1999 to 2000 the county added 116 new contracts with minority or women-owned businesses. Most of that increase (87 percent) was in work contracted by the health, planning and social services departments. Given the continued emphasis on outreach and education to interested businesses, another increase is expected this year, Spano said. Through the program the county has also been able to increase the pool of contractors eligible to do business with government. Thousands of minority and women-owned businesses are now on a list of those who have expressed interest in county projects and a new on-line database is being created of those who become certified. More than 300 people have attended the county’s “Come Do Business With Us” seminars since they began in June 2000. So far a half dozen of the programs have been held in White Plains, Peekskill, Mount Vernon, Yonkers and New Rochelle. The seminars simplify the government contract process and show participants how to find out what jobs are available and how to go about bidding on them. An additional program, started in August, shows attendees how to get certified as a minority or women-owned business – a first step in opening other doors in both the public and private sectors. The
technical assistance plan committee has assisted many first time
contractors by walking them through the bidding process, providing
direct contacts to county departments to find out what jobs are
available, and developing partnerships with the federal, state and
private sectors to directly enhance their business opportunities. “The
goal of our local law is to encourage, promote and increase
participation with businesses owned and controlled by persons of color
and women,” according to Kathie Davidson, deputy county attorney.
“The county has made significant strides over the past three years to
reach this goal.” The county first launched its inclusion efforts in 1997 by passing a law intended to get more minority and women-owned businesses involved in projects and contracts funded by the county. It required that the county provide technical and informational assistance - particularly education programs on the contract procurement process - and keep records tracking the extent and nature of participation. Spano authorized a specific unit within the County Attorney’s Office to give the program “teeth” and to ensure full compliance with the local law and appointed a deputy county attorney to spearhead the entire program, the first in the history of Westchester County. The county also held a seminar to specifically encourage minority and women contractors to bid for work on the county’s $135 million court modernization project. “People are getting contracts and we’re complying with the law. It’s a win-win all around,” said Alexander Restaino, the county’s labor relations representative. “Most importantly, people now believe the county will do business with them. When we first started, a lot of people didn’t trust the county or think they had a chance. This program has gotten people to say ‘the county will do business with us.’” The next seminar will be in the spring of 2002 in collaboration with SCORE. Please call (914) 995-2660 for more information. Click Here for More Information about Doing Business with the County |
