Debate in Louisiana over the lack of a MBE program and Civil Rights Act

Posted by Patty Ramirez Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:16:00 GMT

“The State of Louisiana has no minority business program – in violation of the Civil Rights Act. We are going to make that a major campaign debate in the upcoming election for Governor” writes Harry Alford,co-founder, President/CEO, of the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

Since the Katrina hurricane and disaster in New Orleans, debate has increased over the use of federal monies going to Louisiana. Minority owned companies are unhappy with the states hiring policies.

But Alford also says that New Orleans does not have enough Black contractors to meet the upcoming demand nor the bonding capacity. “In response we are starting a Bonding Assistance Program beginning July 26. After completion of this program local contractors should have significantly more bonding capacity that will enable them to perform more work like never before. We are also recruiting bona fide and qualified Black owned firms to relocate to the New Orleans area on a permanent basis. The more active Black contractors we have, the more available jobs for the Black community.”

The destruction that wrecked the lives and homes of so many in Louisiana must be dealt with. Constructing new homes is a start for the local communities to heal. Federal programs must guarantee equal opportunity so as to bring economic regeneration for all the local communities.

Alaska DOT conducting MBE study

Posted by Patty Ramirez Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:53:00 GMT

On May 21st the Alaska Department of Transportation held a special meeting to discuss MBE programs. Only three speakers spoke at the event.

One MBE company owner said that her company had suffered since the state dropped its requirements for hiring MBEs on state construction projects. But two other speakers representing two other Alaska construction companies, said that the program was unfair and that minority business owners should fight for work along with everyone else.

The state of Alaska Department of Transportation, along with the Federal Aviation Administration, the municipality of Anchorage and the Alaska Railroad Corp., are conducting a study looking into whether the agencies and their prime contractors are adequately using minority business owners when hiring for some construction projects, and if not, if it is due to discrimination.

Past Federal and state studies have shown unfair hiring practices, providing a legitimate concern. It has been common for states to change policies every few years and run surveys as to the effects of race discrimination upon the business environment.

Below is a photo of the beautiful landscape that construction workers view in Alaska.

Kentucky Holds DBE, MBE, WBE Seminars

Posted by Patty Ramirez Thu, 14 Jun 2007 19:22:00 GMT

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is holding a seminar for certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and other small business on June 26. Those at the seminar will be discussing how the atendees can become DBEs. This is part of a larger fair which will also include informative talks on WBEs and MBEs.

Seminars will cover business loans, bonding issues and the pre-qualification process for doing business with state government. The DBE specific seminar will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the KYTC Auditorium, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort.

The University of Kentucky’s third annual Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Recruitment Fair, a venue to recruit the involvement of minority-and women-owned businesses is sponsored by the UK Purchasing Division and Capital Project Management Divi

Patty Ramirez is a freelance contributor.

Illinois MBEs and WBEs doing brisk business

Posted by Patty Ramirez Fri, 04 May 2007 21:45:00 GMT

Women and Minority owned enterprises in Illinois are doing brisk business. Jobs with the Tollway, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers require a ten percent DBE/WBE requirement when project fees are in excess of five hundred thousand dollars. In addition agencies across the state promote MBEs. For example, the City Colleges of Chicago hire numerous minority and women-owned vendors.

MBE owned restaurants and food distributors in Illinois are also flourishing with extraordinary financial backing according to a new article in QSR Magazine. A number of financial institutions have begun offering backing to MBEs in Illinois, such as Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group. The group provides growth capital backing for minority entrepreneurs, making investments ranging from $5 million to $50 million. But many smaller MBEs still struggle to get financing.

However, as opportunities for MBEs and WBEs in Illinois have improved, other states have not faired so well. Reginald Williams, a supply chain consultant who has studied minority sales for 32 years, told the online publication diverseeducation.com that he believes that minority and women-owned firms represent less than three percent of total state and federal purchases around the country. He told the paper, “There has been a significant decrease in the level of state business going to minority and women suppliers.” He added, “Only recently have these [state and federal] organizations repositioned their procurement activities to withstand legal scrutiny while at the same time increasing diversity.”

Compliance News hopes to improve even more the relationship between the private sector and public sector with MBEs, WBEs, and DBEs. Our improved technology can greatly enhance a primes search. With a rising number of construction contracts around the country we hope to help expand economic opportunities for MBE, WBE, and DBEs. View our monthly and daily ads to see a number of jobs bidding across the country.