New York City's mayor, Eric Adams, has set a goal to direct $60 billion of contractual work to minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) by 2030. To achieve this, Michael Garner, the city's first chief business diversity officer, plans to establish a mentorship program to assist MWBEs in bidding for and winning contracts.
However, being certified as an MWBE does not ensure work, as only 17.7% of certified MWBEs were granted a new contract in fiscal 2022. The city aims to award $25 billion to certified firms between fiscal 2023 and 2026 and reach a cumulative $60 billion by fiscal year 2030. Other US cities and towns are also working to increase MWBE participation.
