Black Business Association outlines CRA-backed small-business pipeline; commissioners press for measurable contract metrics

At a City of Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, Shed Lang, owner of Splaying Enterprises operating as the Black Business Association of Riviera Beach, described a CRA-funded initiative to prepare local minority and disadvantaged firms to bid for upcoming development projects in the city.

The presentation matters because the CRA said it will rely on a pipeline of certified, “tenancy-ready” businesses for planned projects including the Found Care and marina redevelopment; commissioners pressed staff for clear metrics showing how many businesses the contractor actually helped and how those outcomes are measured.

Lang told the board he opened his business to provide training and one-on-one assistance and said his group’s “mission became to develop a pipeline of certified, prepared, and capable business endeavors.” He described services that include certification support, help with vendor registration, business training and partnerships with organizations such as the Minority Business Development Agency, the Office of Equal Business Opportunity, SCORE and local banks.

Jadel Mercius, the CRA executive director, introduced Lang and said staff wanted the board’s “appetite” for continuing and scaling this work. Anita Jenkins, the CRA’s director of neighborhood services, joined staff praise for the initiative and highlighted the existing CRA boot camp, which Lang said many clients attend.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about the contractor’s deliverables and measurement methods. One commissioner asked whether the presentation related to an existing contract or to an extension; the contractor said the work was part of a current contract. Commissioners asked how performance claims were measured — for example, that “80% of clients develop a business plan,” “70% gain financial literacy,” and “85% completed the vendor registration process.” Lang said those outcomes are tracked via intake forms and direct, in-person assistance and that many clients complete the CRA Common Sense boot camp.

Lang said his written files include intake documentation and folders for each client and that he can produce those records on request. He also said he had exceeded the contract’s original minimum of 5–10 clients and that some clients were already preparing to submit RFPs for city work.

Several commissioners and staff urged expanding the initiative beyond a single contractor’s work: they recommended formal links with SCORE, the Small Business Administration, Florida Atlantic University programs and local incubator spaces so certified firms move from certification to business opportunities and financing. One CRA commissioner emphasized that contract language should include the methodology used to calculate performance percentages and asked that any future extension include measurable deliverables.

The discussion also touched on procurement formality and transparency. Commissioners said the board should be notified before contracts are executed, that solicitation for similar services should be open to other providers as appropriate, and that contract language should standardize deliverables and reporting requirements.

The board did not vote to extend or amend the contractor’s agreement during the meeting. Staff said they will meet individually with commissioners to gather preferences on whether to continue, expand, or competitively solicit services and will provide documentation of the contractor’s client files and the contractor’s current contract to commissioners on request.

Looking ahead, staff said the business-development work would be considered as the CRA prepares its budget and refines plans for an incubator at the Found Care site and other long-term development projects.