News Release - Mayor Warren Moves Forward with New Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Goals

City of Rochester

News Release

(Monday, June 11, 2018) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren announced today that the City is implementing new Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) hiring goals.

“I am proud to support the growth and development of local small businesses and provide more opportunities for women and minorities in our workforce,” said Mayor Warren. “The new goals set a high bar but I believe they are achievable. These changes will generate more possibilities for all residents of the city by creating jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities.”

The new goals for MWBE participation will be implemented and enforced starting July 1. The standard City contract document requirements are being updated to incorporate the new MWBE goals to match the goals set by New York State, the Rochester Schools Modernization Program (RSMP), and other upstate municipalities: 30 percent aggregate (up from 19.2 percent construction and 9.9 percent street work); 20 percent minority (up from 17 percent construction and 8.9 percent street work); and 10 percent women-owned businesses (up from 2.2 percent construction and 1 percent street work).

New workforce goals of 20 percent minority and 6.9 percent female participation are also being implemented where previously there had been no goals except on the City Project Labor Agreements (PLA).

On average over the past four years, the City has come close to meeting the new MWBE goals and City contractors on recent public works and development projects have met and exceeded the new workforce goals. The RSMP has also demonstrated the ability to meet these goals. The increased support for minorities and women in the workforce is in line with the Mayor’s efforts to create jobs and foster opportunities for growth within the community.

More information about the City’s MWBE program, a copy of the ordinance and other resources can be found at www.cityofrochester.gov/mwbe/.

###

News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135.