Raimondo Announces Goal to Help Level the Playing Field for Minority-Owned Businesses

Published on Monday, January 23, 2017

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Governor Gina M. Raimondo today announced a new performance goal to level the playing field and expand economic opportunity for all Rhode Islanders by doubling the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE/Disability-Owned BE) utilization rate for state contracts by 2020. The Governor signed two executive orders creating a Diversity in Construction Working Group and an Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity (ODEO) Advisory Council to reinforce these efforts.

"We've made progress in opening doors for minority-owned and women-owned businesses, as well as businesses owned by people with certified disabilities, but it's not enough," Raimondo said. "We need a system that is fair across the board, and we need supports in place that further encourages activity in our diverse economy. Today, I'm setting a firm goal and making strides to ensure Rhode Island is leveling the playing field for those who want to conduct business in this state."

"Rhode Island can only grow if we support a vibrant small business community," Urban Ventures Executive Director Jr. Neville Songwe said. "Successful enterprises can come from all kinds of backgrounds given the right support. Urban Ventures is thankful to Governor Raimondo for working to expand opportunities for community businesses to make their mark on Rhode Island's economy."

"As the Latino owner of a family construction business, I am proud and honored to join the Governor in today's announcement," Heroica Construction President Jhonny Leyva said. "For almost a decade, we've been hard at work growing our company and offering cost-effective solutions here in Rhode Island. Today, the Governor is standing up to say businesses like ours deserve a fair shot."

In FY2014 and FY2015, an estimated 4 percent of the state's procurement dollars were awarded to MBEs/WBEs. In FY2016, thanks in large part to policy changes within DOA's ODEO, this estimate rose to 6.3 percent. The goal announced today aims to raise the utilization rate to 12 percent by the year 2020.

"The ODEO is excited about today's announcement to further support the minority business community," ODEO Associate Director Cheryl Burrell said, "The Governor has already made significant progress to promote opportunities for this community, and now she's taking more action to invest in our success."