Business and Finance
PA awards state contracts to more black-owned businesses
More minority-owned businesses in Pennsylvania are getting state contract dollars. Of the nearly $700 million received under Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis for 2022-23, the state government spent $136 million on Black and Latino-owned businesses, a 30% increase from the $104 million reported last yr.
These numbers were revealed in press releaseThe announcement comes months after Gov. Shapiro signed an executive order creating the Pennsylvania Advisory Council for Inclusive Procurement (PACIP). The 16-member council advises state agencies on ways to make state contracting more inclusive.
More funding for small and diverse businesses helps be sure that everyone can take part in our economy and construct wealth that passes down the road — and it helps us deliver a greater product for Pennsylvanians.
This just isn’t only the proper thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. https://t.co/y7JVPNWVKy
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) August 14, 2024
“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,” said Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, PACIP Chair. he said in a press release. “When we took office, we committed to expanding and opening new doors of opportunity for these companies to compete for — and win — government contracts.”
He adds, “I am pleased to see our efforts already bearing fruit, but there is still much work to be done as we work to expand economic opportunity and help Pennsylvania families build wealth for generations to come.”
Steps to make public procurement more fair
Over the past yr, the Shapiro-Davis administration has taken several steps to expand opportunities to streamline the ordering process for small businesses in Pennsylvania. In addition to the manager order, the administration launched an initiative to support Pennsylvania-based and Black-owned small businesses by purchasing products from them on Amazon Business.
The administration also created a Mentor-Protégé program to help Black-owned small businesses compete for state contracts, shortened the time it takes the Department of General Services, which administers most state contracts, to certify small businesses, and more.
“These record investments in small businesses reflect the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s unwavering commitment to building an inclusive economy. By empowering business owners from all backgrounds, we are not only supporting economic growth, but also ensuring that the benefits of prosperity are shared across every community in Pennsylvania.” he said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil.