Multnomah County is honoring minority-owned businesses after the Board of Commissioners proclaimed Sept. 28 through Oct. 2 as Minority Enterprise Development Week.
The Business Diversity Institute is also celebrating Minority Enterprise Development Week by inviting entrepreneurs to attend a series of events beginning Tuesday, Sept. 29 with an evening reception, followed by a series of workshops and an awards luncheon.
The county’s purchasing team will be on hand to talk about contracting with the county and opportunities to bid for jobs on the $250 million Central Courthouse project.
“The economic recovery hasn’t been equal for everyone and this is an opportunity for the county to balance the equation,” said Lee Fleming, supplier diversity officer for the county. “We can’t solve every problem, but through supporting programs like MED Week, we can become part of the solution.”
Business owners interested in finding out more about subcontracting on the courthouse project can visit with project managers, designers and construction managers Oct. 9 during an information session for minority entrepreneurs.
“I am really excited about the central courthouse project and the amount of outreach we are doing,” Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury said during the Sept. 10 proclamation presentation. “Having a diverse workforce is not only good for the industry, to have new voices and creative ideas but we know how important it is to our economy for people in our community to have jobs that are living wage jobs.”
Central Courthouse Project: Contractor meet-and-greet
When: Friday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m.to noon
Who: Minority entrepreneurs and representatives of SRG Partnership and Hoffman Construction
Where: Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs Center, 731 N. Hayden Dr., Portland
For more information: Contact Lee Fleming at 503-988-7540 or lee.fleming@multco.us
