On a sunny morning at the Lieutenant Governor's balcony in Harrisburg, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, alongside key figures such as Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil, gathered with Pennsylvania small-business owners to share the strides the Shapiro-Davis Administration has made in boosting opportunities for small and diverse businesses. The news conference, set against the backdrop of the historic Main Capitol Building, served as a platform for detailing the progress made since the inception of the Pennsylvania Advisory Council for Inclusive Procurement (PACIP).
It was back in September 2023 when Governor Josh Shapiro inked the executive order that birthed PACIP, a council formed to guide Commonwealth agencies toward more inclusive state contracting opportunities, and Lt. Gov. Davis, who chairs the council, convened its first meeting by December of that same year. Today's event, highlighted by PAcast, saw Davis emphasizing the administration's unwavering commitment to this cause.
Among those addressing the attendees was Stephanie Turman, president of Always Busy Consulting, and a member of PACIP, who shared tangible examples of how the council's work is already impacting local businesses. Turman remarked that small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and it's critical that we create pathways that facilitate their growth and inclusion in state contracts, delineating the potential benefits that such engagement could yield for the small business community.
The narrative of today's press briefing wasn't just about policy announcements but encapsulated the personal victories of entrepreneurs who have begun to see a change in their fortunes thanks, to the administration's efforts. By spotlighting real success stories, Davis and McNeil put a face to the beneficiaries of inclusive procurement strategies, driving home the message that when small businesses thrive, so does the Keystone State.
