Monthly Newsletter
Public Works, Procurement, and Disadvantaged Business News
November 2011 | Volume 4, Number 6 | New York Edition | www.dbegoodfaith.com
New NYC initiative to connect MBEs, WBEs with private sector
In the first week of October, the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced the start of three initiatives through the Corporate Alliance Program (CAP), which is designed to connect certified Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) with contracting and capacity-building opportunities in the private sector.
"We are proud to be setting the initiative into motion that offers certified M/WBEs the ability to obtain skills that will teach them to expand their businesses with the private sector and we encourage them to take advantage of additional services through NYC Business Solutions," said SBS Commissioner Rob Walsh.
The registration period for the Corporate Coaching Program and Corporate Skills Training initiatives have passed, but the CAP/Columbia University Construction Mentorship Program is accepting applications until November 4, 2011.
The Construction Mentorship Program is a unique collaboration between the City of New York, Columbia University, BNY Mellon, Con Edison, Goldman Sachs, and National Grid. It provides both classroom instruction and hands-on business management experience to minority-, women-, and locally owned (MWL) construction-related businesses. The program also helps to create new opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses in the area.
"For the past three years, Columbia University and the City have worked together to provide minority, woman-owned and local businesses with the training, contacts and support to enhance their businesses," Joe Ienuso, Executive Vice President of Columbia University Facilities said. "Now, thanks to the Mayor's leadership, we have four additional corporations joining this initiative which will offer greater opportunities to the participating firms."
After successful completion of the two-year program, which includes a one-year academic program, and a second-year of bidding and working with corporate partners, businesses will receive a Columbia University certificate.
In the past, the Bloomberg administration has been criticized for its lack of commitment to M/WBE growth. In August, the Wall Street Journal revealed that the city's M/WBE program has done little for black-owned businesses, which received only 7 percent of all city contracting dollars paid to M/WBEs. Moreover, less than 3 percent of the $28 billion paid to city contractors have gone to M/WBE businesses since January 2010. The Mayor's office has acknowledged the program's shortfalls and is considering changes to improve minority participation across the board.
If you are interested in applying for the Construction Mentorship Program, click here. Or click here for more information.
Also, learn more about the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS).
"We are proud to be setting the initiative into motion that offers certified M/WBEs the ability to obtain skills that will teach them to expand their businesses with the private sector and we encourage them to take advantage of additional services through NYC Business Solutions," said SBS Commissioner Rob Walsh.
The registration period for the Corporate Coaching Program and Corporate Skills Training initiatives have passed, but the CAP/Columbia University Construction Mentorship Program is accepting applications until November 4, 2011.
The Construction Mentorship Program is a unique collaboration between the City of New York, Columbia University, BNY Mellon, Con Edison, Goldman Sachs, and National Grid. It provides both classroom instruction and hands-on business management experience to minority-, women-, and locally owned (MWL) construction-related businesses. The program also helps to create new opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses in the area.
"For the past three years, Columbia University and the City have worked together to provide minority, woman-owned and local businesses with the training, contacts and support to enhance their businesses," Joe Ienuso, Executive Vice President of Columbia University Facilities said. "Now, thanks to the Mayor's leadership, we have four additional corporations joining this initiative which will offer greater opportunities to the participating firms."
After successful completion of the two-year program, which includes a one-year academic program, and a second-year of bidding and working with corporate partners, businesses will receive a Columbia University certificate.
In the past, the Bloomberg administration has been criticized for its lack of commitment to M/WBE growth. In August, the Wall Street Journal revealed that the city's M/WBE program has done little for black-owned businesses, which received only 7 percent of all city contracting dollars paid to M/WBEs. Moreover, less than 3 percent of the $28 billion paid to city contractors have gone to M/WBE businesses since January 2010. The Mayor's office has acknowledged the program's shortfalls and is considering changes to improve minority participation across the board.
If you are interested in applying for the Construction Mentorship Program, click here. Or click here for more information.
Also, learn more about the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS).
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MBEs, WBEs to get more contracts, says Cuomo
According to a story in the New York Daily News, Gov. Andrew Cuomo met with minority lawmakers in early October and committed his administration to raising the percentage of minority- and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) participation on state contracts to 20 percent.
Last year the state achieved only 10.3 perecent M/WBE participation.
The governor's office declined to comment on the story, so at the present time it is unclear if the state will be taking measures to ensure that the goal is met.
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