Winston-Salem City Council receives MWBE report

NC News - Published May 30, 2023

The Winston-Salem City Council recently received a report on the utilization of minority- and woman-owned businesses (MWBEs) in City contracting for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The report found that MWBEs received over $16 million in total City spending during that period, surpassing the previous fiscal year; however, that figure represents 5.3 percent of total City spending within that period, a lower percentage than the previous seven fiscal years.

The report follows a full disparity study which was delivered in 2019, which found significant underutilization in MWBE contracting during the study period, and reported that MWBEs have a 35 percent availability rate in the area (as compared against the most recent 5.3 percent utilization rate).

The study made several recommendations for remedying the disparity, including implementing a B2Gnow diversity management system for directory and certification functions, hiring more MWBE departmental liasons, and doing more direct outreach to MWBEs on bid opportunities.

Find the reports at the Winston-Salem City Council meeting details page at https://winston-salem.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6195917&GUID=4A645397-CC19-4F61-B924-8816DC1B7D4B.

Find the 2019 disparity study at https://www.cityofws.org/DocumentCenter/View/14862/City-of-Winston-Salem-2019-Disparity-Study-Executive-Summary.