Label
Minority Assistance Business Center
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
Tyrome Alexander/Lacy DeBerry (x1031)
Revised
Title
Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a funding agreement for the provision of the City’s portion in participation in the Toledo Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) programming; authorizing the expenditure of $20,000 from the General Fund; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
This ordinance requests authorization for the provision of the city’s portion for providing support to the Toledo Minority Business Assistance Center. The support from the City has included active participation and advertisement on minority business technical assistance boards, working as a partner on economic development outreach program, creating supplier diversity program and financial support for program development.
The Toledo MBAC is charged with servicing minority and disadvantaged businesses with free professional consulting, addressing financial literacy and assisting small business obtain contract opportunities. A primary objective of the program is to identify emerging businesses and cultivate their growth and sustainability ultimately strengthening the minority business community, support job creation and further economic growth in Ohio. Professional MBAC staff work with owners of existing businesses, start-ups, certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), certified Encouraging Diversity Growth and Equity (EDGE) and socially and economically-disadvantaged businesses. MBEs are defined as businesses that are at least 51 percent or more owned and managed by those individuals who are African American, Hispanic, Native American or Asian American. EDGE certified businesses are defined as enterprises that are owned by economically and socially disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
Over the last 10 years, the program has been housed at different host sites that have had a variety of programs, some which have had a minority business focus. However, the Toledo MBACs most critical requirements that a host have include a focus on diversity and inclusion and providing physical ease of access to where the majority of minority businesses are located. For the Toledo MBAC and based on business census data, the majority of minority businesses reside in Lucas County and concentrated within the City of Toledo.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into a funding agreement for the provision of the City’s participation with the Toledo Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC), upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Director of Law and the Director of Diversity and Inclusion.
SECTION 2. That an expenditure in the amount of $20,000 is authorized from the General Fund, Account Code 1001-10700-1121003STDSTD for the provision of the City’s participation with the Toledo Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC).
SECTION 3. That the Finance Director is authorized to draw warrant or warrants against the above-mentioned Account Code in an amount not to exceed $20,000 in payment of the above authorized obligations upon the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 4. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that this ordinance must be immediately effective in order to timely source, and engage minority businesses the ability to participate in city contracts and services.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Passed: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council