More Input Needed From Business Owners For Disparity Survey

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A consulting firm is only five months away from completing a disparity study to determine whether minority-owned and woman-owned businesses are getting their fair share of contracts from the City of Birmingham.

To ensure accurate results, Griffin & Strong is seeking more input from the local business community.

The study looks at the number of minority-owned and woman-owned businesses in the region, the amount of business they are receiving from the city and barriers that may impede their success. The study is scheduled to be completed by the end of August.

Part of the study includes a survey of businesses to capture demographic and anecdotal information about companies, their capacity, and their impressions about doing business with the city of Birmingham. Griffin & Strong partnered with Creative Research Solutions to create the Survey of Business Owners, which can be found here. The survey is set to close April 5.

The city strongly encourages all businesses – whether they are minority-owned or not — to participate in the survey. More responses will ensure that findings and recommendations in the disparity study are based on complete, accurate information.

“The first step in solving any problem is to gather the facts, and this is a key part of that process,” said Cornell Wesley, director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity at the city of Birmingham. “The more businesses we get involved, the better picture we’ll have and the better path we will have going forward.”

When complete, the disparity study will compare the availability of diverse firms with their success in receiving contracts to furnish goods and services to the city. Where there are disparities, the study will recommend strategies to create a level playing field for minority- and woman-owned businesses.

Among other things, the study can be used as a legal basis for the city to require diversity and inclusion in city contracts and in private projects that the city is supporting through incentives or other investments. While the city sets goals for minority participation now, the disparity study will ensure that the city can enforce diversity targets and improve opportunities for underutilized businesses.

“This could really shape the economy of Birmingham and how we engage minority vendors,” said Coreata Houser, deputy director of the city’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. “It’s critically important for all of our businesses to be aware of this study and to be a part of the process.”

Griffin & Strong has conducted disparity studies in cities across the country. The last time the city of Birmingham conducted a disparity study was in 2007.