Minority And Women-Owned Business Study: City Of St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — City challenges faced by minority and women-owned business enterprises are a focus in the city of St. Petersburg's disparity study launched Monday.

The purpose of this study is to determine if a statistical disparity exists in the award of the city’s contracts to ready, willing, and able market area minority and women business enterprises, the city said.

The industries being studied are construction, professional services, and goods and services.

Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd., a national expert in conducting disparity studies, was hired by the city to review the city’s contract records, identify market area businesses and collect anecdotal accounts from business owners.

Local business owners have until Dec. 7 to take the survey provided by the city.

Benefits from the survey study, according to the city are:

• Identify best practices to improve the city’s contracting process
• Increase the number of bidders on the city’s contracts
• Lower the city’s procurement costs

If you are a business owner and would like additional information, contact Mason Tillman at 727-490-7474 or email at StPetersburgDisparityStudy@mtaltd.com