Philadelphia still trying to hire minority contractors

The city of Philadelphia is working to get more minority contractors working on government projects. The goal is to further economic development for those who have been shut out in the past.

 

Minority contractor participation in Philadelphia is up ten percent in the past year.  The city says that’s not good enough.

 

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John Macklin is from the National Association of Minority Contractors.  He says in the difficult economy there isn’t enough good work to go around.

 

“We are looking for work, they are ready willing and able to do the work but we’re looking for the commitment from all of us to make this happen,” said Macklin.

 

Mayor Michael Nutter says the problem is finding qualified minority contractors to handle city contracts.

 

“The city uses citywide contracts to purchase a variety of products but there are few if any disadvantaged owned businesses that can compete for  $57 million a year that we spend on many commodities,” said Nutter.

 

Mayor Nutter says he hopes using outside expert advisors will help the city hire more minority contractors and in turn expand their reach into the private sector.

 

 

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