Monday, October 22, 2012

Under Weber’s Leadership, Sharp Rise in City Contracts with Local Businesses Owned by Women, Minorities and Disabled Vets



Percentage of local small firms awarded construction projects jumps from 3% in 2009 to 26.2% in 2012

SAN DIEGO – Dr. Shirley Weber, candidate for the 79th state Assembly district and Chair of the Citizen’s Equal Opportunity Commission (CEOC), reported today that under her leadership the City of San Diego has dramatically increased the number of contracts awarded to local small businesses owned by women, minorities and disabled veterans. Weber has long been focused on supporting local businesses and creating good-paying jobs in her community.

“As we battle back from the worst recession in recent history, I am proud to report that city contracting for local small businesses is on the rise, helping to create good-paying jobs and put our friends and neighbors back to work,” Weber said. “Small businesses are engines of growth for our economy, and they create the kind of jobs that support families, send kids to college and provide for a decent retirement. As Chair of the CEOC, I made delivering for our community my first priority, and I’m proud to announce that we’ve made real progress.”

For fiscal year 2012, over $63,500,000 in construction contracts were awarded to local small, emerging, women, minority and disabled veteran owned businesses, representing 26.2% of all construction contracts awarded – a huge increase over the 3% awarded to such firms in 2009.

At a presentation to the City Council’s Rules Committee, the Commission’s work received bipartisan praise.

“Thank you for your leadership, Dr.  Weber,” said Council President Tony Young. “This is a huge win for the City of San Diego,”

Councilmember Kevin Faulconer noted that the Commission’s work was about participation and about jobs.

“To see these numbers increase is a job well done,” he said.

Since her appointment as chair the CEOC, Dr. Weber has played a pivotal role in its success. The CEOC monitors and evaluates the Equal Opportunity Program of San Diego, advises the mayor, city council and the City Services Commission, and assists the City in the recruitment of competent historically under-represented individuals/businesses and promotes the San Diego as an Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals and firms desiring to contract with the city.

About Dr. Shirley Weber
Born to sharecroppers in Hope, Arkansas, Shirley Weber has lived in California since the age of three. Educated in our state’s public schools, she received her BA, MA and PhD from UCLA by the time she was 26. A respected community advocate known for her work on closing the academic achievement gap, Dr. Weber is the former President of the San Diego School Board. She currently serves as the mayor’s appointee and Chair of the Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission, where she has created jobs by tripling the number of small businesses contracting with the city of San Diego. Dr. Weber is also a professor at SDSU, and has lived in the 79th Assembly District for over 30 years. 
To learn more, visit http://www.drweber4assembly.com.

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