The city of South Bend could be doing better in the diversity of its contracts. That's according to a study on how many women and minority-owned businesses are contracted.
The City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion hired consultant Colette Holt to conduct the study between 2015 and 2017. The study found 12 percent of contracts were given to women and minority owned businesses.
Those businesses were available for 15 percent of the contracts. South Bend also has several programs working to increase the number of businesses owned by women and minorities that are eligible to contract with the city.
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg said the purpose of the study was to give the city a starting point to work from.
“This is about is ensuring bias no longer affects city purchasing. A lot of studies have indicated that firms that are identical on paper seem to be at a disadvantage when they are owned by minorities or women.”
City leaders say they hope to pass an ordinance that will set minimums for how many women and minority businesses are contracted. They also plan to adopt software that tracks and publishes details about businesses they contract.
Contact Annacaroline at acaruso@wvpe.org or follow her on Twitter at @AnnacarolineC16
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