Have a story idea
Have a story idea? Send it to us here.
Source : Contractor News
October 16, 2025
Author : Alex Bustillos
The City of St. Louis has announced that it has officially relaunched its Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification program after a temporary halt earlier this year.
The relaunch of the program is framed under Executive Order 91, which was signed by Mayor Cara Spencer. The order provides a legal framework for certification and contracting consistent with the City’s 2024 Disparity Study.
An attorney analyzed the city ordinance and researched local contracting disparities. The attorney also consulted with minority contractors and city officials to verify that the new program adhered to present rules and promoted equity.
Mayor Spencer emphasized that the city is dedicated to fixing past unfairness in contracts, stating that once the new M/WBE program is fully operational, certified business enterprises will have specific equity goals for projects based on the latest Disparity Study results.
The St. Louis Development Corporation will work with the departments of the City to create rules for applying these goals. The certification process has been restarted right away, allowing minority- and women-owned businesses to compete for city contracts again. The relaunch has been embraced city-wide and reflects a greater desire to enhance inclusion in contracting.
This restart aligns with the St. Louis County M/WBE disparity study and the ongoing requests for federal funding aimed at safeguarding the progress of programs associated with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as advocates have recommended seeking assistance after IIJA.
Category : Minority Business Enterprises Minority Women Business Enterprises Women Business Enterprises Local Government