Seattle Mayor issues order on WMBE contracting

WA News - Published Nov 22, 2023

Mayor Bruce Harrell of Seattle has signed an executive order expanding contracting access for minority- and woman-owned business enterprises (MWBEs). The order was signed at the City's 2023 Reverse Vendor Trade Show.

The executive order is built on a variety of priorities, those being: authorizing an Advisory Committee made up of members of the MWBE community to continue its work of providing guidance and feedback; requiring City departments to expand outreach efforts particularly to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) firms and Black-owned firms; upgrading the City's online business directory; commissioning a new disparity study; expanding the use of MWBE-related training in City departments; and more.

The order comes in the context of data showing that while BIPOC residents account for nearly 38 percent of the city’s population, BIPOC-owned businesses receive only 14 percent of the total contract and purchase spending from the City. 

"The goal of this work is to advance our vision for One Seattle as an inclusive and equitable city where entrepreneurs and small businesses of all backgrounds can succeed," said Mayor Harrell in a statement.

Find the press release from the Mayor's Office at https://harrell.seattle.gov/2023/11/01/mayor-harrell-issues-executive-order-expanding-city-contracting-equity-supporting-women-and-minority-owned-small-businesses/.

Find the text of the order at https://harrell.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/11/Executive-Order-2023-07-Equity-and-Opportunity-in-City-Contracting-11-1-2023-FINAL.pdf.