In a concerted effort to address concerns of business equity, Fort Worth's city officials have reinforced their collaboration with Waste Management (WM) and the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce (FWMBCC). Following the City Council's contentious vote on May 14, which spurred public scrutiny and media attention towards the M/WBE provision in Waste Management's contract, a partnership appears to be solidifying.
Returned from a somewhat rocky past, the commitment to foster business equity in Fort Worth was reasserted in a recent meeting that brought together diverse teams from the City, WM, and FWMBCC. They are laying foundations to ensure that minority-owned businesses benefit from the city’s ongoing and future projects. As reported by the City of Fort Worth, key stakeholders convened last Friday aiming to produce an actionable strategy that will be revisited for further refinement in August.
Assistant City Manager Valerie Washington emphasized the meeting's constructive outcome saying, "Our meeting resulted in an across-the-board agreement with WM and the FWMBCC to further our goals and develop a win-win relationship," as per the City of Fort Worth. Deliberations have pivoted towards creating a detailed 30-60-90-day game plan that specifically addresses supplier diversity goals.
Demonstrating a clear intent to support small and diverse suppliers, Domenica Farmer, vice president of WM of Texas Inc., extolled the steps being taken. "WM was pleased to share our sustainability vision regarding supplier diversity efforts with the City of Fort Worth and FWMBCC, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship to support small businesses and diverse suppliers in the area," Farmer stated, as cited by the City of Fort Worth. Later this fall, an event is scheduled that will unite WM, FWMBCC, and potential suppliers to push these business equity goals even further.
