PEORIA, Ill. – The City of Peoria is trying to get a better handle on what businesses are owned by minorities.
The City is officially starting what it calls the “Peoria Equity Accountability Program.”
“The PeAP Program will introduce an opportunity for minority and women business owners to apply for the very first M/WBE certification through the City of Peoria,” said Melodi Green, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, City of Peoria.
Green says in addition to a database being created, a real-time listing of minority or women-owned businesses will be available.
“We’ve heard from a lot of other general contractors that are not minority-owned. They say ‘We can’t find minority contractors,'” said Monica Arbuckle, co-owner, “AFE Construction.” Arbuckle says she beleives Peoria has had a problem in this regard for a long time, so she’s glad it’s finally being address.
“During my eight years on the City Council, I regularly asked about and insisted that there was minority participation on contracts within our city,” said former Council Member Denise Moore, CEO, Minority Business Development Center. “This process will now help remove that concept that minority contractors and vendors do not exist.”
An official kickoff event will be held August 10th at the Peoria Public Library, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
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