MWESB Summits Streamline and Improve Public Agency Diversity Programs

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Beginning in February of 2010 Multnomah County took the leadership role in bringing together public agencies to standardize, and make more effective, small business and historically underutilized business support programs across the region. This initiative has brought together State, County, City and other local public agencies on a quarterly basis. Multnomah County co-sponsored each summit meeting and has worked with the partnering agencies to set an agenda that addresses a specific topic(s) that affects the small business community. The quarterly summit meetings foster collaboration on new economic development initiatives and provide a forum for public agency change agents to advocate for regional solutions to eliminating barriers to public contracting. Through a variety of panel discussions, presentations and subcommittee research into best practices, program improvements and efficiencies have been identified. Participating organizations are provided an opportunity to learn from the successes, failures and barriers faced by other agencies in the administration of their diversity and small business support programs. Initially eight public agencies participated in the summit meetings. Since February of 2010 the number of participating agencies has grown to more than twenty. Through strong support across participating agencies, what was initially intended to sunset after two years has continued to enjoy strong support. In January of 2014 Multnomah County transferred the organizing and administrative support lead position to the State of Oregon Governor’s Office where it continues to function.