City of Asheville MWBE disparity study ongoing

NC News - Published Nov 21, 2023

The City of Asheville is in the process of conducting a disparity study into the experiences of minority, and women‐owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBEs) in doing, or attempting to do business with the City. Specifically, the study will examine whether or not MWDBEs have been underutilized in City procurement relative to their availability in the area, and, if so, what remedies might be taken. The last disparity study was delivered in 2018.

The currently ongoing disparity study will examine contract data from fiscal years 2017 through 2022. Currently, the team conducting the study is engaging in a variety of community engagement methods in order to gather qualitative feedback from stakeholders as well as performing statistical analysis. Those who have comments on the study, or on the experiences attempting to do business with the City, are encouraged to submit those comments to CityofAshevilleDS@miller3group.com, where they will form part of the basis on which the study's conclusion rest.

The study is currently expected to be completed in October of 2023. Once the study is complete, it will additionally be released to the public.

Find the City's page for the disparity study at https://www.ashevillenc.gov/projects/disparity-study-2023/.