St. Petersburg focuses on minority, women-owned businesses in disparity study
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
The final phases are underway for a disparity study by the city of St. Petersburg, designed to ensure local businesses owned by people of color and women get city contracts.
Mason Tillman Associates, the company hired two years ago to conduct the disparity study, wants to hear from local business owners about their experiences making bids and proposals to the city, as well as working on city projects.
The disparity study is one of the city’s highest priorities, Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin told about 100 people who took part in an online meeting Monday to kick off this phase of the study.
“This is so critically important because it is a reflection of our effort and our commitment to be a city of opportunity where the sun shines on all,” Tomalin said, quoting part of the city’s vision statement.
The last study of this type was done in the late 1990s and resulted in the city’s Small Business Enterprises program, Mayor Rick Kriseman said during the virtual meeting.
Visit www.stpetecatalyst.com to read more.