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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Ronald G. Waters
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PLBC lauds governor's executive order
ensuring Recovery Act funds for minority businesses
HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – Following an executive order signed by Gov. Ed Rendell this week,
Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Ronald G. Waters, D-Delaware/Phila., today reaffirmed the caucus' commitment to ensuring Inclusion, Diversity, and Opportunity (I DO) in regards to the participation of disadvantaged businesses in state contracts.
The executive order formally establishes a goal that at least 10 percent of state-administered contract funds through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act go to small and disadvantaged businesses. It requires state agencies, contractors and grantees to work directly with the Department of General Services’ Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities, conduct outreach efforts to small and disadvantaged businesses and track progress through Sept. 20, 2011.
"While federal stimulus money will help Pennsylvania rebuild its infrastructure and create jobs, it's imperative that women and minority business owners take advantage of this opportunity," said Waters. "The governor's pledge to see that these owners are connected to funding opportunities reinforces our message and the feedback we received this year at forums we held throughout the Commonwealth on this issue."
Waters said the PLBC this year held seven forums throughout the Commonwealth to inform minority, women and disadvantaged business owners of the various ways they can access business opportunities connected to state and local projects receiving funding from the federal stimulus package.
Additionally, caucus member Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, established and chairs the bipartisan House Select Committee on Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Inclusion. The committee last month issued a report making recommendations to ensure participation in state contracts and purchasing by these businesses enterprises.
The report is available on Wheatley's Web site, www.pahouse.com/Wheatley, and includes six pages of findings on what state government has been doing to ensure diversity in contracts and purchasing.
Additional information about American Recovery and Reinvestment Act initiatives in Pennsylvania is available by visiting www.recovery.pa.gov.
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CONTACT: Faith Camp Fax: 717-783-6839 |