Office of Minority Business Dev
Complaints from local minority contractors about how work on Richmond’s $134 million jail project is being allocated and a draft audit report that raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the city’s Office of Minority Business Development have some City Council members calling for an overhaul of the agency.
2012 Aug 13. A new audit finds Richmond’s Office of Minority Business Development (OMBD) needs improvement — and essentially has no way to make sure awarded contracts go to minority businesses.
Director of OMBD: Vicki Rivers
City of Richmond Audit Report 2013-01
Office of Minority Business Development
July 2012The J. A. Croson v. City of Richmond case limits the remedies the City may use to meet
the objectives of the MBE/ESB programs. Page iiCurrently, the City is reluctant to enforce the provisions of the City
Code due to perceived legal liabilities surrounding the Croson case. Page 14
CITY OF RICHMOND v. J. A. CROSON CO.
Council discussion of Croson decision. (28 JUL 2011 at 1:56)
Vicki Rivers |….12-0|….
To accomplish its goals, her office is taking on several initiatives. They include strengthening and expanding the OMBD staff capacity, increasing spending with minority firms and boosting access to capital for minority-owned businesses.
“OMBD is shifting its paradigm,” Rivers said.
via topix.com Paul Eiker.