City of Lexington Advances Equity in Business with Local Enterprise Program and Diversity Goals

The City of Lexington is taking proactive steps to enhance opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses in the area. During a recent Council committee meeting at City Hall, several recommendations were discussed to improve the business climate. Sherita Miller, the Minority Business Enterprise Program Director, shared that a local business enterprise program is currently being developed. The program aims to reserve specific small contracts exclusively for local businesses bidding as prime contractors, giving them a competitive advantage over larger businesses.

One of the recommendations outlined in a revised Council resolution is to establish a goal of 5% for minority-owned businesses and 12% for women-owned businesses when collaborating with the Urban County Government. The Council’s General Government Committee received a review of recommendations from a Disparity Study. Council Member Shayla Lynch raised a question about expanding the pool of subcontractors, noting that primary contractors often prefer those they are familiar with. A consultant suggested awarding evaluation points to primary contractors who work with new subcontractors, a strategy that Sherita Miller plans to integrate into price evaluation preferences and small contract opportunities.

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