New Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility outlines start-up plan, warns federal DBE rule change could affect thousands of firms Secretary Walter Simmons briefed the Appropriations Committee subcommittee on the new Department of Social and Economic Mobility, describing office consolidations, outreach and a plan to help thousands of disadvantaged businesses required to refile documentation after a federal DBE rule change.

Maryland's new Department of Social and Economic Mobility is stepping up to support thousands of businesses facing a daunting federal certification shake-up—will your firm be affected?

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#MD #PublicPolicyReform #EconomicMobility #MarylandBusinesses #MinorityBusinessSupport

Lexington 01 board tables action on suspending minority-business preferences after governor's executive order Trustees debated pausing the district's minority-business enterprise (MBE) procurement preference after Gov. McMaster's Dec. 3 executive order and voted 4–1–1 to table a motion to suspend the district policy until the board receives state guidance; administrators warned delays could slow capital projects already in procurement.

The Lexington County School District board is caught in a debate over minority-business procurement preferences, risking delays on crucial capital projects amidst unclear state guidance.

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#SC #EducationPolicy #MinorityBusinessSupport #ProcurementReform #CitizenPortal

County adopts procurement change; commissioners debate adding MWBE solicitation requirements Forsyth County adopted an updated countywide procurement policy after removing a paragraph on informal solicitation; a substitute motion to require certified HUB/MWBE solicitation for procurements over $10,000 failed and the board asked staff and legal to report back on options and staffing by early March.

Forsyth County commissioners have sparked a heated debate over procurement policies and the future of minority and women-owned businesses in the region.

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#ForsythCounty #NC #MinorityBusinessSupport #CitizenPortal #ForsythCountyMWBE

Tacoma Equity and Contracting Advisory Committee Reports on Inclusive Business Practices Committee discusses progress on equity goals and contracting practices for minority-owned businesses.

Tacoma is making strides in equitable contracting, ensuring small, minority, and women-owned businesses thrive in the city’s economic landscape.

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#TacomaPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #TacomaEquity #InclusiveEconomy #ContractingPractices #MinorityBusinessSupport

City Council Discusses Challenges in Street Tree Planting Contracts and Procurement Standards Council members address issues with low bidding and contractor integrity in street tree projects.

New York City Council is scrutinizing the Parks Department's contracting practices after low bids lead to unethical contractor behavior in street tree planting.

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#NY #NewYorkParks #CitizenPortal #VendorAccountability #ContractingReform #MinorityBusinessSupport

Tuscaloosa City Council Denies Permit for Hispanic Heritage Month Event Council rejects alcohol permit for Made in Mexico Tacos and Tequila LLC's event proposal.

Tuscaloosa City Council's rejection of an alcohol permit for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration has sparked outrage and raised critical questions about support for minority-owned businesses.

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#TuscaloosaCityTuscaloosaCounty #AL #CivicAccountability #MinorityBusinessSupport

Columbus Council Discusses Minority Business Growth and Community Support Strategies Council emphasizes importance of minority-led businesses and community engagement for economic progress.

Columbus City Council is taking bold steps to uplift minority and women-owned businesses, emphasizing their vital role in our economy and community.

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#OH #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #EconomicEquity #MinorityBusinessSupport

Queen Anne's County secures $793K broadband grant for difficult to serve properties Commissioners approve $793K grant to expand broadband access to 130 underserved homes.

Queen Anne's County is making strides to bridge the digital divide with a new $793K broadband grant aimed at connecting 130 underserved homes!

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#QueenCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #DigitalDivide #InfrastructureImprovement #QueenAnnesCountyBroadband #MinorityBusinessSupport

Met Council evaluates minority business participation amid disparities in contract allocations Met Council discusses efforts to improve minority and women-owned business contract participation rates.

The Minnesota Metropolitan Council is taking bold steps to close the gap in contract opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, but is it enough?

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#MN #WomenOwnedEntrepreneurship #CitizenPortal #EquityInProcurement #MinnesotaBusinesses #MinorityBusinessSupport

Colorado Commission advances support for minority and women-owned businesses amidst legal challenges Commission researches historical impacts on black Coloradans to shape equitable policies

Colorado's J.E.D.I. Task Force is tackling systemic racism head-on, pushing for equity and support for minority and women-owned businesses amidst legal challenges.

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#CO #CitizenPortal #SystemicRacism #MinorityBusinessSupport

County Council debates support for local and minority-owned business contracts Council discusses prioritizing county-based businesses in contract allocations to enhance competition.

Prince George's County is rethinking its contract allocations to ensure local and minority-owned businesses get the support they deserve—could this be a game changer for the community?

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#PrinceCounty #MD #LocalContracting #EconomicEquity #MinorityBusinessSupport #CitizenPortal

Senate Bill 781 supports small business growth through local procurement opportunities Senate Bill 781 facilitates small business access to local government contracts in California.

California's Senate Bill 781 is set to transform the landscape for small businesses by unlocking crucial local contracting opportunities that could stimulate economic growth and empower communities.

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#CA #MinorityBusinessSupport #CitizenPortal #EconomicGrowth

Philadelphia officials discuss strategies to support local minority vendors in global market City seeks to enhance opportunities for local vendors amid international competition.

Philadelphia officials are stepping up to empower local minority vendors in the face of fierce global competition, unveiling new initiatives to level the playing field.

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#Philadelphia #PA #MinorityBusinessSupport #EconomicDevelopment #CitizenPortal #GlobalCompetition

Maryland establishes guidelines for Cannabis Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund oversight Senate Bill 894 mandates oversight of cannabis fund appropriations and equity recommendations.

Maryland's Senate Bill 894 is poised to transform the cannabis industry by promoting equity for minority-owned businesses and addressing historical injustices.

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#MD #MarylandCannabis #SocialEquity #EconomicGrowth #MinorityBusinessSupport #CitizenPortal

Commissioner of Housing outlines contract set-aside rules for housing projects Legislation specifies set-aside contracts for eligible subcontractors in housing projects

Connecticut's Senate Bill 1518 could revolutionize the housing sector by ensuring that small and minority-owned businesses finally get a fair shot at state contracts.

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#CT #EconomicEquity #SocialJustice #MinorityBusinessSupport #CitizenPortal

Minnesota allocates $1.5M to support Latino economic development and microentrepreneurs State grants fund training and assistance programs for Latino entrepreneurs and rural communities.

Minnesota's new Senate Bill 1832 could transform the entrepreneurial landscape by providing $1.5 million in annual grants to empower Latino microentrepreneurs and rural communities.

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#MN #EconomicDevelopment #MinorityBusinessSupport #RuralCommunityAssistance #CitizenPortal

Minnesota allocates $5M to support minority-owned businesses through PFund Foundation grants Minnesota invests $5M to enhance support for minority-owned businesses and LGBTQ+ enterprises.

Minnesota is taking a bold step forward by introducing Senate Bill 1832, which promises $5 million in funding to empower minority and LGBTQ+-owned businesses across the state!

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#MN #EconomicEquity #Entrepreneurship #MinorityBusinessSupport #MinnesotaBusiness #CitizenPortal

Legislature approves $1M for economic inclusion grants targeting entrepreneurs Legislature allocates $1M for grants to support economic empowerment and development programs.

Minnesota's new Senate Bill 1832 is set to unleash $1 million in grants aimed at empowering minority entrepreneurs and tackling economic disparities head-on.

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#MN #EconomicEmpowerment #FinancialLiteracy #MinorityBusinessSupport #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaEntrepreneurs

Tennessee State Treasurer allocates funds for literacy and business assistance programs Tennessee Treasurer designates funds for financial literacy and purchasing disparity studies.

Tennessee's Senate Bill 1431 could revolutionize financial literacy and empower small, minority-owned businesses to thrive in an equitable economy.

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#TN #TennesseeSmallBusiness #FinancialLiteracy #EconomicInclusivity #MinorityBusinessSupport #CitizenPortal