Broward County Commissioner Holness encourages the community to attend workshop study on status of Minority owned business in the County

BROWARD COUNTY – Broward County’s newly elected County Commissioner, Dale Holness has hit the ground running in his new position. Commissioner Holness wants individuals in the Broward County area to join him for a workshop on the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Disparity Study.

In a released statement from the Commissioner, “I hope that you will join me on Tuesday, November 30th, when the Broward County Commission holds a workshop on the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Disparity Study from 10 a.m. to Noon”. “It takes place at the Governmental Center, 115 South Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, Room 430”. “The 2010 Study finds both statistical and anecdotal evidence of business discrimination against M/WBE’s in Broward County’s relevant market area”. “The public is welcome to attend and I believe important information will be shared at that time”.

According to a November 23, 2010 Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board article written by David Hinson, “Closing the entrepreneurial revenue gap between minority-and non- minority-owned businesses based on the share of the adult minority population would add $2.5 trillion dollars to our nation’s economic output, creating 11.8 million more American jobs and unleashing the innovation of an economic sector that has long been undervalued…”

Mr. Hinds went on to say, “As we look for ways to create more jobs for Americans still desperately in need, shining a light on the economic potential of the minority-business community can significantly benefit the American people and the U.S. economy…”

National Economic Research Associates (NERA) was hired by the County to examine the past and current status of minority-owned and women-owned businesses in the geographic and product markets for Broward County.

The results of the study will assist the County in evaluating whether its current and past race- and gender-neutral programs have eliminated or reduced discrimination. In addition, the study provides recommendations for consideration on future race- and gender procurement policies.

If you can’t make it to the workshop, then watch it on your computer. A live webcast is available by going to www.broward.org/video.

I hope to see you there. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Dale V.C. Holness – Broward County Commissioner District 9