Gwinnett County is stepping up its game in creating a level playing field for small and underrepresented businesses with its inaugural disparity study. Two informational meetings will be available to the public — one taking place in-person on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 6 p.m. at George Pierce Park Community Room, and another that will go digital via Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m., Gwinnett County announced.
The study is designed to identify and evaluate potential obstacles that these businesses may experience when attempting to secure contracts with the County government. This is about ensuring that the local marketplace is as inclusive as it can be. Participants in both meetings will have a chance to engage with the process, asking questions and understanding how the study will operate.
In an effort to spearhead this initiative, Gwinnett County has brought on board Griffin & Strong, P.C., and leverages the expertise of Aisha DeBerry, the County’s own Equity Officer. "It is crucial that we listen and learn from as many local business owners and community stakeholders as possible," DeBerry stated, as per the press release.
Registration for the in-person event is recommended, though not required, while it is a necessary step for the virtual one. Interested business owners and residents can make their registration via Eventbrite for the in-person and Zoom for the virtual session. For any additional inquiries or concerns, Griffin & Strong, P.C. can be contacted through their designated email at [email protected].
