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New policy expands small business opportunities in Charleston County
By Dan McCue
Staff Writer
Charleston County Council Chairman Tim Scott described an amendment to the county’s existing procurement policy as “a wonderful opportunity.”
It is this policy that established his long-sought after Small Business Enterprise Program.
“This is creative capitalism at its finest, in my view, and I truly believe this is going to provide big opportunities for small business growth in Charleston County at a time when there’s a paucity of large tracts left here for large scale development,” Scott said shortly after the policy change on July 24.
Implementation of the program, which actually is more of a policy directive, comes on the heals of a 2006 study by MGT of America Inc., which examined disparities in the hiring of minority and women-owned businesses to provide the county with goods and services.
Among the recommendations of the project were the creation of a Small Business Enterprise Program, race-neutral joint ventures and outreach to small business owners.
The County Council approved the small business enterprise program in concept in May.
“Basically what we’ve done is tailor our existing procurement policy to foster the involvement of minority- and women-owned businesses with the county,” Scott said. “The program doesn’t replace our existing diversity policy, but extends it, particularly through our encouraging joint ventures between potential contractors.
“I guess, in sense, what we’re saying to businesses that might want a county contract is bring someone that’s different from you to the table as well.”
Also part of the program is a local preference option in procurement that allows the lowest local bidder who is within 5% or $10,000, whichever is less, of the lowest non-local bid, to match the lowest bid and win the contract.
“By doing this we’re looking to increase local participation in county contracting opportunities substantially,” Scott said.
Councilwoman Colleen Condon agreed, saying that by amending the county’s procurement procedures, “We have created a thorough and comprehensive way to help small businesses and professionals compete for local contracts.”
Dan McCue is a staff writer for the Business Journal. E-mail him at dmccue@charlestonbusiness.com.
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