NY Gov. Cuomo Commended For Diversity Goals

NEW YORK - The New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council has commended Governor Andrew Cuomo for his State of the State address that calls on New York State agencies to double the current minority and women-owned business participation goal from 10-percent to 20-percent.

“The New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council is looking forward to working with Governor Cuomo in expanding opportunities for minority businesses in achieving New York State contracts,” said Lynda Ireland, The Council’s president & CEO. “Minority businesses have a positive impact on communities through providing employment, training, role models, buying from other minority and women-owned business and supporting community organizations.”

In 2007, The Council signed a Memo of Understanding with the State of New York that successfully fast-tracked Council-certified minority businesses in bidding for contracts with New York State agencies. The Council also has a Memo of Understanding with the City of New York and with the State of New Jersey.

The New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, an award-winning affiliate of National Minority Supplier Development Council, certifies African American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American and Native-American-owned businesses to be eligible to compete for major corporate contracts.

The Council has over 200 corporate members, including Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies and educational institutions. There are approximately 1,300 New York and New Jersey minority-owned businesses with annual revenues from $100,000 to $3 billion certified by The Council. The jurisdiction for The Council extends from Albany, New York to Trenton, New Jersey.