New York state is “dramatically increasing
\nits goal” for minority-and-women-owned
\nenterprises’ (MWBE) involvement in state
\ncontracting, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced
\non Oct. 1.<\/p>\n
He said new data showed that the state
\nhas far exceeded the original 20 percent
\ngoal set in his first State of the State address
\nand is now setting the goal at 30 percent. He
\nsaid that 30 percent represents the highest
\nsuch target in the nation for any state
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Cuomo made the announcement at the
\nstart of the state’s fourth annual MWBE
\nForum in Albany. He unveiled new data on
\nrecord MWBE utilization in state contracting
\nof 25 percent in fiscal year 2013-14, which
\nrepresents a total of nearly $2 billion in
\ncontracts. That figure is up from the 10 percent
\nMWBE state contract utilization rate in
\nfiscal year 2010-11 when Cuomo took office.<\/p>\n
“Discrimination and racism is alive and
\nwell and it is illegal. Government has an
\naffirmative obligation to right these wrongs,
\nand we need to have the same strength in enforcing
\nthese laws as we do with criminal and
\ndrug laws,” Cuomo said. “First, we worked
\nhard to fix the MWBE program, looking at the
\ngoals set for the program and what had actually
\nbeen achieved. We exceeded our goal of
\nstate contracts going to MWBE contractors,
\nfrom 20 percent to 25 percent – that’s $2 billion
\nand the highest in the nation.<\/p>\n
“New York has done many things but we
\nstill have more to do, and that is why are
\nproud to announce a goal of 30 percent, the
\nhighest in the United States, to continue this
\nprogression and momentum and ensure that
\nMWBEs are fully represented in this state.”<\/p>\n
The membership of Cuomo’s MWBE
\nteam includes state Sen. Betty Little of
\nQueensbury.<\/p>\n
In 2011, Cuomo established, by executive
\norder, a statewide MWBE Team to explore
\nways to eliminate barriers and expand the
\nparticipation of MWBEs in state contracting.
\nThree years later, a number of key initiatives
\nthat the MWBE Team pushed forward,
\nincluding an improved online reporting
\nsystem, a streamlined certification process,
\nincreased outreach initiatives, and a statesponsored
\nbonding program, have helped
\nincrease MWBE utilization beyond the 20
\npercent goal, Cuomo said.<\/p>\n
The MWBE Forum provides MWBEs
\nand small, emerging businesses with an
\nopportunity to learn about state procurement
\nprocess, state contract opportunities,
\nand connect with public and private sector
\ndecision makers to expand their business
\nand increase competitiveness. The goal of
\nthe forum is to make the process of doing
\nbusiness with the state easier and to serve
\nas a “one-stop shop” that features New York
\nstate contract and business expansion opportunities
\nfor MWBEs and small businesses.<\/p>\n
Cuomo launched a “Bridge to Success”
\nloan program in March 2014 to invest at
\nleast $20 million to expand access to short
\nterm bridge loans for MWBEs. The program
\nprovides qualified MWBEs with the shortterm
\nresources necessary to participate
\nin the up to $1 billion in contracting opportunities
\nwith New York state. To date,
\nlenders participating in the program have
\nalready made 23 loans totaling $2.9 million
\nto state-certified MWBEs contracting with
\nstate agencies, officials said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New York state is “dramatically increasing its goal” for minority-and-women-owned enterprises’ (MWBE) involvement in state contracting, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Oct. 1. He said new data showed that the state has far exceeded the original 20 percent…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[57,102],"class_list":["post-15768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-entrepreneurial-women","tag-business-news","tag-ny-state"],"yoast_head":"\r\n