King County Moves To Increase M/WBE Partners

Washington state's King County will be enforcing a new executive order which will make it easier for minority- and women-owned businesses (M/WBEs) to recieve County contracts.

Source : Contractor News

July 22, 2021

Author : Kristy Casanova

Washington state's King County will be enforcing a new executive order which will make it easier for minority- and women-owned businesses (M/WBEs) to receive County contracts. 

The executive order will help county agencies to focus on increasing minority- and women-owned businesses when pursuing private-sector partnerships. The goal is for public works to propel partnerships between small M/WBE businesses and contractors. County planners will learn from the personal experiences of local small contractors in order to create positive changes and increase contracting opportunities. 

The plan includes actions that will help reshape the county’s current race- and gender-neutral contracting program by increasing M/WBE participation. Currently there are a few business organizations that make a conscious effort to increase inclusion for M/WBEs, but the goal is to expand this effort and participation. 

Lisa van der Lugt, director of the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) has stated that “as the certifying agency for minority- and women-owned small businesses in Washington State, OMWBE is thrilled to see King County take intentional steps to build equity into its contracting process. This Executive Order will support businesses that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic, evening the playing field and allowing more minority- and women-owned businesses to compete for public contracting and procurement opportunities."

Category : Minority Business Enterprises Minority Women Business Enterprises Women Business Enterprises

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