Nearly three decades after Rhode Island law mandated that at least 10 percent of state contracts and purchase awards go to minority- or women-owned businesses, the Ocean State has not met its commitment.
Less than half of state contracts are going to certified minority-owned businesses. That despite the fact that an estimated 24 percent of Rhode Island’s population is made up of Latinos, African-Americans or Asian-Americans.
In a state where who you know plays such a large role in access – to jobs, to contracts, to so many things – perhaps this shortfall is understandable. But it is not acceptable.
And it’s not just about economic justice. Meeting the law’s requirements would go a long way toward spreading economic progress to the less fortunate parts of the state’s population.
Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee started the process of making sure minority business enterprises received their fair share of available contracts. Incoming Gov. Gina M. Raimondo should do more and make this a key part of her administration. The state will be a much stronger community as a result. •