Minority and Women's Business Enterprise (M/WBE)

Through the M/WBE program, the City of Greensboro provides minorities and women equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of City contracting and purchasing programs, and prohibits discrimination against a person or business in pursuit of these opportunities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion or national origin.

How Can We Help Your Business?

 The M/WBE can assist your business in many ways! We can:

• Facilitate subcontracting by acquainting small business owners with City contracting procedures and services available to them in securing City contracts and enhance procurement opportunities for women and minorities
• Certify minority and women-owned businesses
• Sponsor small business briefings and training programs; provide small business workshops and forums to the small business community
• Provide technical assistance to all small businesses including referrals on where to go for assistance (1) to start your own business, (2) grow and develop your business, (3) loan packaging information, and other small business needs
• Give you a free Business Starter kit and business technical assistance

Why does our City need the M/WBE?

• There is a growing disparity among racial groups in income and unemployment which contributes to an erosion of our economic base.
• Between 1980 and 1990, the population in Greensboro grew by more than 27,000 people; the African-American population alone increased by more than 15,000.*
• In the same period, the mean household income for Caucasians increased by $20,235, while the mean household income for African-Americans increased by $11,085.
• While unemployment in the last decade decreased slightly across all racial groups, unemployment among Native Americans in 1990 (12 percent) was almost four times that of Caucasians (3.4 percent).
• Greensboro's overall poverty rate increased between 1980 and 1990 from 9.1 percent to 11.6 percent. The povery rate for Caucasians is 6.8 percent; the poverty rate for African-Americans is 20.7 percent.
• Research shows that minority- and women-owned firms tend to employ a larger number of women and minorities.
• Nationwide, women-owned businesses employ more people than Fortune 500 companies.
• Women-owned businesses are growing at 2.5 times the rate of male-operated businesses and already account for a third of all US companies.
• The cost of ignoring these economic trends far exceeds the cost of programs such as the M/WBE.
• The M/WBE program identifies a segment of the vendor market not usually included in bid opportunities.
• In cases where M/WBE firms are not selected as prime contractors, it is the responsibility of the prime contractor to demonstrate a good faith effort to provide equal opportunity for M/WBE firms to participate in subcontracting.
• Including M/WBE firms in bid opportunities is good business:
  • M/WBE firms pay taxes
  • M/WBE firms hire workers who pay taxes
  • Opportunities for improving unemployment, housing and the economy are created
• Independence is fostered by steering M/WBE firms and employees toward competitive government contracts and away from social programs.