North Carolina has announced the results of their first disparity study in over a decade. It reveals that only about 1 percent of North Carolina public works contracts have been awarded to black-owned businesses from 2013 through 2018. 

The goal of the 2021 disparity study was to identify how much the state’s Department of Administration engages in practices that solicit and award contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses. As a result, the firm conducting the disparity study, Griffin & Strong, P.C., presented the following data on the construction industry: $5.6 million (0.83%) went to Black businesses, $5.3 million (0.77%) went to Latino businesses, $1.6 million (0.23%) went to American Indian businesses, $52,000 (0.01%) went to Asian businesses, $37 million (5.39%) went to businesses owned by White women. 

Many firms also shared their concerns about state contracts, regarding claims of double standards in qualifications along with discrimination, which were widely expressed. Ultimately, the disparity study revealed a lack of effort to contract with minority-, black- and woman-owned businesses.

The state’s office of Historically Underutilized Businesses will continue to provide further information and recommendations following the disparity study.