Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston's Department of Supplier Diversity recently celebrated the first annual Scaled Impact Celebration at Faneuil Hall. The event recognized the achievements of the SCALE program's inaugural cohort, comprised of 27 small, local businesses that received up to $200,000 in grant awards and participated in a six-month course designed to help them expand and more successfully bid for city contracts.
During the event, Mayor Wu expressed her commitment to fostering an inclusive economy in Boston. "Boston’s small businesses keep our city running, strengthen our economy, and anchor our neighborhoods," Mayor Wu said, according to a press release by the City of Boston. "With the SCALE Program, we are removing barriers and investing in the businesses that serve our residents and families every day." The event also highlighted the efforts of five city departments that have been proactive in equity in contracting and substantial increases in city contracts awarded to certified minority- and women-owned businesses over the past three years.
Throughout Fiscal Years 2023 to 2025, remarkable strides were made in diversifying contract allocations. The Property Management Department awarded nearly $15 million, or 30 percent, of its total contract awards to certified businesses. Similarly, the Transportation Department awarded $38.5 million in contracts to diverse businesses, accounting for nearly 44 percent of their total contract award dollars.
Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu acknowledged the sustained growth in contracts awarded to small and local minority-owned businesses, attributing success to the city's vision and initiatives. "Our neighborhoods benefit from greater participation in public procurement by local and diverse firms, helping strengthen them as employers and service providers," Idowu mentioned in the official announcement. Furthermore, the City of Boston also launched the Inclusive Quote Contracts program, which has facilitated $7.4 million in awards to certified businesses since its inception in 2022.
The Department of Supplier Diversity, integral to these efforts, certifies businesses and fosters their participation in public contracting. Alongside them, the Procurement Department purchases goods and services aiming for high quality and cost efficiency. More details on their objectives and accomplishments can be found on their respective web pages.
