Council committee reviews OEOI budget, supplier-diversity milestones and White Stadium outreach plan

Boston City Councilors on the Committee on Ways and Means heard a briefing April 29 from the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (OEOI) on the office’s FY25 budget priorities, supplier‑diversity milestones, and programs to connect local firms to the White Stadium redevelopment and other city contracts.

The presentation, led by Shigon Itawu, chief of economic opportunity and inclusion, and senior OEOI staff outlined a package of programs — small business technical assistance, a “Scale” grant program, a space-acquisition pilot, nightlife economy investments, and supplier‑diversity tools — that the administration says are intended to expand contracting and ownership opportunities for minority-, women- and veteran‑owned firms.

Why it matters: Councilors said they want clearer data and faster access to funds for neighborhood businesses while ensuring major projects such as White Stadium bring contracts and jobs to nearby communities. The committee pressed OEOI on Main Streets reimbursements, commercial vacancy tracking, accessibility for entrepreneurs with disabilities, and how supplier‑diversity gains will be sustained.

Most important facts

Shigon Itawu, chief of economic opportunity and inclusion, framed the OEOI cabinet and its priorities and described the department’s work on downtown revitalization, small‑business supports, and supplier‑diversity efforts. Donald Wright, deputy chief, and Alicia Porceno, director of small business, walked the committee through program details.

Supplier diversity and certification

Jollivia Barrow (Deputy Director, Admin Finance & Supply Diversity) described supplier‑diversity programs and metrics OEOI provided. As of April, OEOI reported 951 certified businesses citywide and 73 newly certified businesses in FY25; the office reported the FY25 certifications include 10% AAPI, 42% Black, 17% Latino, 33% small/local, 2% veteran and 58% women-owned (figures presented by the supplier diversity team). Barrow told the committee that since FY21 supplier‑diversity grant programs have distributed nearly $2 million in grants to certified businesses and that 56 Inclusive‑Quote Contracts (IQCs) have been awarded to date.

Barrow said the administration will publish quarterly supplier‑diversity updates online. She said, “we're finally able to follow through on that promise. And so, every quarter, you will see an update” on the city’s reporting page.

Scale grant and business support programs

OEOI described the Scale (Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education) program, which offers industry‑specific technical assistance and grant awards up to $200,000 for selected firms in construction trades, general contracting, design/architectural services, food and dining services, and snow removal/landscaping. OEOI said a grant administrator, BDC Community Capital, issued awards to 27 companies in the first round; OEOI gave the program composition breakdown in the presentation.

Office of Nightlife Economy and public‑safety tools

The Office of Nightlife Economy, launched in 2023 and represented in the hearing, reported distribution of 33,000 drink‑spiking prevention covers to 40 bars and clubs, Stop the Bleed training partnered with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a Wake‑Up‑At‑Night grants program that funded 41 grantees and 50 events across 13 neighborhoods (102 artists and 8,165 attendees were cited).

White Stadium supplier‑diversity outreach

OEOI described a White Stadium supplier‑diversity board and community stakeholder sessions intended to connect local contractors with redevelopment and operations opportunities. The office said it has convened community stakeholder sessions attended by more than 100 contractors and stakeholders and that it maintains a White Stadium webpage tracking supplier‑diversity outreach.

Main Streets funding and reimbursements

Councilors raised longstanding Main Streets concerns about reimbursements and capacity for the small nonprofit organizations that run many commercial districts. Itawu told the committee that the mayor has invested roughly $5 million in the Main Streets program over several years and that the administration now advances seed funding to Main Streets: fronting $25,000 to start, raising operating capital to $100,000, programming funds to $25,000 and a new beautification line of $50,000 per Main Street (all amounts discussed on the record). Itawu also said the administration has shifted many Main Streets allocations from federal CDBG to city operating or ARPA funds to reduce the previous requirement that local organizations front costs and seek reimbursement later.

Accessibility and veteran outreach

Councilors pressed OEOI on outreach to veteran‑owned businesses and entrepreneurs with disabilities. Itawu acknowledged that only 2% of certified businesses are veteran‑owned and said OEOI will share a breakdown of how many veteran‑owned businesses received direct support. He also said the office is partnering with the City’s Disabilities Commission to improve accessibility in programs and the outdoor dining rollout; Alicia Porceno described architectural and technical assistance available to help businesses meet ADA requirements.

Commercial vacancy tracking and downtown work

Councilors asked about a commercial‑vacancy database. OEOI said it will coordinate with the Planning Department’s research team and the Downtown Business Alliance to produce vacancy and market‑analysis tools for councilors and Main Streets directors.

How the committee framed the debate

Councilor Flynn and others emphasized downtown public‑safety and quality‑of‑life work as central to encouraging businesses and employees to locate downtown. Councilors also pushed for targeted outreach to Chinatown and other AAPI communities, and for proactive work to make sure White Stadium redevelopment benefits nearby commercial corridors such as Egleston Square.

What was not decided

This hearing involved briefing and Q&A; there were no formal votes or motions recorded during the session.

Quotes

"Welcome to season 4 of OEOI's budget," Shigon Itawu said at the start of the departmental presentation.

"We remain a diverse cabinet, with more than half of our staff identifying as people of color," Donald Wright told the committee while describing staff demographics and program delivery.

"We're finally able to follow through on that promise. And so, every quarter, you will see an update," Jollivia Barrow said of supplier‑diversity quarterly reporting.

Ending

Committee members asked OEOI to provide follow‑up information on veteran participation, supplier‑diversity dashboards, BRJP (jobs) reporting for White Stadium contracts, and the commercial‑vacancy work with the Planning Department. OEOI representatives said they will deliver written follow‑ups and continue to brief the committee as the FY26 budget process continues.

(Reporting note: this account is based on the April 29, 2025 Boston City Council Committee on Ways and Means hearing; remarks and numbers are attributed to speakers who presented on the record.)