Lexington City Council Reviews Strategies to Boost Inclusion for Minorities and Women in Business
The Lexington City Council is looking to implement new initiatives and suggestions to bolster the inclusion and participation of minority and women-owned businesses in the city’s economy. A recent Council committee assessed various recommendations aimed at enhancing opportunities for these underrepresented groups.
The Minority Business Enterprise Program Director Sherita Miller indicated that a special program is in progress to bridge the gap for small local enterprises. “The overriding aim is to earmark certain small contracts specifically for small local entrepreneurs to bid as prime contractors. This initiative will provide a competitive edge for our local businesses, reducing their competition with larger counterparts,” Miller explained.
Target Goals for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
Further highlights from the Council resolution include setting a specific target for the Urban County Government. The resolution advocates for a 5% goal for minority-owned businesses and a 12% benchmark for women-owned enterprises.
Members of the Council’s General Government Committee were also given an overview of suggestions from a preceding Disparity Study. Council Member Shayla Lynch raised the issue of extending the pool of subcontractors. “Given my experience, primary contractors usually collaborate with known associates. A suggestion from a consultant proposed awarding evaluation points to primary contractors willing to engage with new subcontractors,” commented Lynch.
This idea was supported by Miller, who asserted that this would form part of price evaluation preferences and small contract opportunities.
Striving for Equality and Inclusion
The Lexington City Council’s commitment to improving the business environment through these measures signals a remarkable step towards achieving increased diversity and inclusivity in business operations within the city. Amplifying opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses not only fosters economic equality, but also drives innovation and growth by diversifying the market.
The council’s acceptance and implementation of these strategies will surely boost the confidence of minority and women entrepreneurs in the city, encouraging more engagement and participation in the city’s business environment.
This move will also inspire other cities to take similar steps in favor of equality and inclusion, fundamentally reshaping the business landscape in a way that promotes fairness and opportunities for all, regardless of their size, race, or gender.
