Minority business program to undergo changes
Todd 04-12-2011
comment profile send pm notify

It wasn't always easy for Tracey Rhoten to make inroads in the male-dominated construction industry as a female executive of a concrete company.

But being a state-certified minority business has helped create more opportunities for her firm, Aaron's Concrete Pumping in Eldersburg. That distinction has gotten her subcontracting jobs on state-funded construction projects since 2009 and has led to a 25 percent increase in revenue, said Rhoten, who founded the firm with her brother in 2003.

Now, Rhoten is afraid proposed legislation that would eliminate statute-mandated goals of awarding a certain percentage of Maryland state contract dollars to African-American- and women-owned businesses would hurt her firm and others.

"It created an opportunity for us to be at a level playing field," Rhoten said. "Once we were given the opportunity, we've done a great job. We've developed good relationships with companies. My fear is without the subgoals, will they [revert] back to what they were doing before? I hate to say it was a good-old-boys network, but it was."

The change in the program has reopened a larger debate over its effectiveness and how it should be improved. Although the state's Minority Business Enterprise program has come under scrutiny in recent years, state officials and supporters say it is still necessary because disparities continue to exist.

The proposal, supported by Gov. Martin O'Malley, would repeal for one year the state's annual goal of awarding 7 percent of state contracting dollars to African-American firms and 10 percent to women-owned businesses.

It would, however, maintain the state's annual goal at 25 percent for minority participation in state contracts. There are no penalties for agencies that fail to meet these nonbinding targets.

While the state reached the 25 percent goal last February and Gov. Martin O'Malley said last year that the state was on track to finish the most recent fiscal year at that level, the program still fell short. The state has yet to achieve those benchmarks set about a decade ago.

The proposal has sailed through the General Assembly with little opposition, and O'Malley is expected to sign it. Supporters say the change gives the state flexibility and could encourage minority businesses to get a bigger share of state contracts.

Supporters also argue that the state needs time to ensure that any participation goal set aside for either African-American- and female-owned businesses is not arbitrary but fair.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-04-11/business/bs-bz-minority-business-goals-20110411_1_minority-business-program-state-contracts-women-owned-businesses

 
Many 04-12-2011
reply profile send pm notify

You go girl,good luck
baddassduramax 04-13-2011
reply profile send pm notify

shes hot, id want her pumping my crete over some fat dude any day
Telealbelt 04-13-2011
reply profile send pm notify

I want to play with her belt. lol