Women Reinstated in Construction Contract Goal
Citywide Construction Goal Increases to 34%
Excitement is in the air. Women
are back and the citywide construction goal has been increased! You don't know
what all the hype is about? Well, on May 8, 2013, Mayor Annise Parker and the
Houston City Council, unanimously approved amendments to Chapter 15 Code of
Ordinances, which governs the City's Minority and Women Business Enterprise
(MWBE) program and a new citywide participation goal for construction
contracts.
As a result of City Council's
action, beginning July 1, 2013, several enhancements will be made to the 30
year old goal-oriented MWBE program. Most significantly, the citywide
participation goal on construction contracts will increase from 22% to 34%;
Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) will be reinstated in construction contract
specific goals; and the Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise program
will be expanded so that it's more inclusive of disabled veterans by adopting
the federal government's definition of "disability". Although
not required to have a race neutral component to the MWBE program, the City has
elected to continue a Small Business Enterprise program, resulting in an MWSBE
program.
|