NEXT MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY FORUM FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (TUESDAY, AUGUST 16)
TO DISCUSS THE MINORITY AND WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE DIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
On April 11, 2011 South Bend's Municipal Code was amended to include a Minority and Women Business Enterprise Diversity Development Program. Ordinance 10081-11 replaced a 1987 ordinance addressing equal opportunity for minorities and women with regard to employment and bidding for City Contracts, commonly referred to as the Affirmative Action Ordinance. In the new program, a nine member MBE/WBE Utilization Board will be appointed by the Common Council, the Mayor, and the Chamber of Commerce. This Board, working with the Diversity Compliance Office, the City Administration and the City Council will develop policies to increase the use of minority-owned and women-owned businesses by the City of South Bend.
SB Common Council Member Timothy Rouse, the chairman of the Community and Economic Development Committee, will be our guest at the August 16 meeting of the Community Forum. He will discuss the content of the Ordinance and the progress made so far in implementing the Program. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the LaSalle Branch Library, 3232 W. Ardmore Trail.
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MBE/WBE Utilization Board to be discussed at South Bend Common Council Committee meeting:
On Monday August 15, in the Common Council's Informal Meeting Room on the 4th Floor of the County City Building, there will be a special meeting of the Council's Personnel and Finance Committee, chaired by Councilman Tom La Fountain. The main topic for discussion is the MBE/WBE Utilization Board. The meeting begins at 5 p.m.