Erie County has announced it is overhauling its Minority- and Women-Owned Business (M/WBE) utilization and current contracting. Since 1978, the County has passed five local utilization laws to help minority business enterprises, however, the implementation has often been found to be lacking.

The current goal is that 15 percent of the total cost of contracts will go through minority-owned small businesses, as well as 5 percent for women-owned small businesses. Since the pandemic has occurred and negatively impacted minority-owned enterprises, county officials have planned to promote even more diversity in county contracting. 

The new goal is for M/WBE utilization in public works to kick in for contracts running above $100,000. Prime contractors will need to solicit M/WBEs subcontractors from a county source list. Prime contractors will need to verify that 30 percent of the total dollar value of a contract will be going through M/WBEs (10 percent for WBEs and 20 percent for MBEs). 

The county plans also to utilize M/WBE firms for supplies, materials, and equipment, setting this goal at 30 percent (10 percent for WBEs and 20 percent for MBEs). Contractors awarded purchasing contracts of more than $20,000, will need to create economic opportunities by contracting MBEs and WBEs on all County contracts. 

As for M/WBEs for professional services, technical services, and consulting services the goal is also set at 30 percent of the total dollar value of the contract to be awarded to M/WBEs, (10 percent for WBEs and 20 percent for MBEs).