East Baton Rouge's Mayor announced the launch of the Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification Program that will launch December 1st, 2020. It will allow minority -, women - and veteran-owend small businesses to qualify for contracts.  The program's goal is to help businesses to qualify for contracts with the city parish, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport and the city’s Recreation and Park Commission. 

The decision to implement  a city-oriented DBE program came after a disparity study revealed that few businesses had access to the contracts due to certification requirements. This program will qualify businesses for contracts with the city-parish with the same joint certification. This will eliminate the need for multiple certifications with and streamline accessibility. 

“This certification program aligns with our current initiatives to create an equity and fairness program in an effort to increase procurement opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged groups within our community,” said BREC Superintendent Corey Wilson. 

A streamlined joint certification process for local projects increases access and participation from minority -, women - and veteran-owend small businesses and aligns with the initiative to create equity and fairness in an effort to increase procurement opportunities within disadvantaged communities.