After the City of Asheville found disparities in its contracting of minority- and women-owned businesses during a 2018 study, the Business Inclusion Policy was passed in 2020. The Asheville Business Inclusion Office started work on the policy’s measures to address the problem — think trainings, building a database for BIPOC and women-owned businesses for City contracts, launching a special certification, and holding events and workshops.
The Office will be hosting a vendor outreach event for women- and minority-owned businesses in the construction industry on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 4-6 p.m. The first event of a series, it’s a chance to connect with various City departments and other local businesses and to hear about upcoming City projects.
Qualified businesses can also apply for MWBE Certification to be included in the database and for a chance to work with the City. Time to get down to business.
