Hampton Council introduces measures to boost minority and women-owned business participation

Hampton City Council is taking significant steps to enhance opportunities for women-owned and minority-owned businesses in the community. During a recent work session on July 9, 2025, city officials discussed leveraging existing Virginia state code to create a more inclusive procurement process. This initiative aims to broaden participation in city spending and stimulate economic growth within the Hampton Roads region.

The council emphasized the importance of a SWAM (Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned) based approach, which allows for greater flexibility in achieving procurement goals. By updating local ordinances, the city plans to facilitate participation from small businesses, including those owned by veterans and individuals with disabilities. This aligns with the city’s ongoing efforts to increase diversity in its procurement activities.

Key proposals discussed include establishing written procurement programs that comply with state requirements, enhancing micro-business participation, and implementing a pre-qualification ordinance for construction contracts that includes minority participation plans. These measures are designed to ensure that small businesses, particularly those with fewer than 25 employees, have fair access to city contracts.

Additionally, the council highlighted best practices for race and gender-neutral programming, encouraging local businesses to register with the state to receive procurement notifications. The city is also exploring sheltered bidding processes, similar to those used in Virginia Beach, which prioritize SWAM-certified businesses for certain contracts.

As Hampton moves forward with these initiatives, the council aims to create a more equitable economic landscape, fostering growth and opportunity for all segments of the community. The next steps will involve drafting and implementing the proposed ordinances to ensure that the benefits of city spending are shared broadly among local businesses.