The Black Leadership Advisory Council (BLAC) called for state leadership to help Geographically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (GDBEs) overcome barriers that prevent them from fully participating in contracting opportunities.
The Black Leadership Advisory Council is an advisory body in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity designed to eradicate and prevent discrimination and racial inequity in Michigan.
Geographically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises are Michigan firms owned and operated by people of color, women, and businesses located in underserved areas, such as small towns and inner cities.
The plan of the new Executive Directive 2023-01, is that 20% of total expenditures from state departments and agencies must go to GDBEs.
Gov. Whitmer says, “Expanding our pool of contractors, creates more opportunities for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses and creates a more competitive bidding process that helps ensure the state receives the most cost-effective, higher quality bids for goods and services.”
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
