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District reports 17.7% minority/women‑owned participation; board discusses outreach and certification barriers
Summary
District staff said Jan.–June 2024 spending reached 17.7% participation by minority/women‑owned businesses (certified and noncertified combined) and expended $16.9 million of $95 million; board members discussed low certified participation and ongoing outreach to local chambers and Hispanic business groups.
Senior staff reported to the Finance Committee that for the second half of fiscal year 2024 (Jan. 1–June 30) the district met its minority/women‑owned business enterprise (M/WBE) goal, achieving 17.7% participation when combining certified and noncertified vendors.
Senior staff said: "Actually, more than 10% was our goal, and we achieved 17.7% of participation...our 6 months figure to, expend was 95,000,000, and we totally extended 16,900,000." The presenter clarified that the 17.7% figure includes both certified and noncertified minority/women‑owned firms.
Board members asked about the certified target (10%) and noted certified participation remains low (one speaker cited 0.45% certified). Staff described barriers for small local businesses to obtain state certification — including paperwork, insurance requirements and limited incentives in South Carolina — and described outreach efforts including direct notices to the Black Chamber, Beaufort Chamber and contacts with Hispanic Business Association representatives who assist businesses with certification paperwork.
Staff asked board members to share suggestions and contacts; the committee discussed expanding targeted outreach, using Spanish‑speaking liaisons to reach Hispanic business owners and continuing to notify local minority business networks each time the district publishes solicitations.
The committee offered congratulations on the reported increase in combined participation and requested continued reporting on certified vs. noncertified splits and specific outreach outcomes.
