Report Addresses Challenges Businesses Face Pursuing Private and Public Sector Contracts; Presents Recommendations for Increasing Local and Minority Business Participation

The Local Business Participation Advisory Committee (LBPAC), established by Council Resolution 100-2014 to provide a formal platform for addressing the needs and concerns of the business community, has issued its Annual Report for the period ending September 30, 2015.

The LBPAC Annual Report focuses on recommendations for improving the County’s contracting process to ensure maximum opportunity for local and minority business participation in major development projects occurring in Prince George’s County, and on legislation designed to increase procurement opportunities.

Council Member Mel Franklin (D) - District 9, during his 2015 Council chairmanship, proposed CR-100 in an effort to provide adequate and equitable access to public procurement opportunities for local and minority firms in the County.
“Over the past several years, the Council has adopted important legislation to ensure local and minority companies can share in the wealth being generated by major economic development and public works projects in the County. However, far too often, local business and hiring policies in public procurement have been undermined by poor or nonexistent compliance; minimal enforcement; underutilized authority; and lack of reporting by County agencies and vendors in violation of county law without consequence. It is vital that the Office of Central Services is given the resources and authority it needs to ensure proper compliance and enforcement of our local business participation laws.”

Council Member Franklin also noted the efforts of the workgroup.

“I want to thank LBPAC Chair Mirinda Jackson and the members of the Local Business Participation Advisory Committee for their hard work and leadership on this important issue.”

To obtain a copy of the LBPAC Annual Report, please contact the Office of the Clerk of the Council at 301-952-3600 or Mirinda Jackson, Chair, Local Business Participation Advisory Committee at MDJackson1@co.pg.md.us