In February 20222, The Business Council of New York State announced support for a package of legislative bill proposals that would positively impact MWBE businesses in New York State. The Business Council recognizes five bills as beneficial to minority and women-owned businesses throughout New York. The bills were based on transparency and COVID-related assistance since minority-owned businesses were hit hard by the pandemic, resulting in many closures.
The proposed legislation having the most significant impacts include expanded contract procurement opportunities, creation of training programs with a minimum number of MWBE participants, a detailed explanation of why public corporations and agencies did not choose an MWBE business’ bid, and a shared database to track contracts between public authorities and agencies and MWBE businesses.
Legislative Proposals Positively Impacting Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE)
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S.571 Allows MWBEs to use money from the lending program to pay debt
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S.634-A Requires ESD to contact MWBE when they are part of a utilization plan
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A.9259 Addresses fraud in MWBE program
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S.5217 Creation of a database to track MWBE contracts
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S.1596B Creation of MWBE Protection Program to provide grants to MWBEs utilize American Rescue Plan funding
MWBE Awards Announced
In addition to the legislative support for MWBE businesses, The Business Council has established a new set of MWBE awards. The awards will honor minority, women, and LGBTQ businesses by recognizing their history. A total of five separate awards will be presented, with an African American-owned business recognized in February, a woman-owned business in March, an Asian-owned business in May, an LGBTQ-owned business in June, and a Latinx-owned business in September.
Details on the awards, including the nomination process, can be found here, on The Business Council’s website.