Oakland, CA – Today, the City of Oakland announced the launch of two new business support programs funded by $1 million from the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Division (EDA ).
Half of the funds will support a training program for small minority-owned construction contractors with funding supporting technical assistance for small businesses with BIPOC. These programs expect to provide services to more than 1,110 small businesses and up to 50 small contractors over the next two years. The city has engaged three trusted community partners with cultural and linguistic expertise and experience to help Oakland’s diverse small businesses.
“Through the subcontractor support program, Oakland will reduce barriers that have historically prevented BIPOC subcontractors from successfully bidding on City RFPs,” said Oakland’s mayor. Libby Schaaf. “Removing these administrative barriers will result in balanced outcomes as we use public contract dollars to help our diverse businesses grow and thrive.”
To help minority contractors bid for and win City contracts, Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services will provide technical support for BIPOC construction firms. Individual assistance and business training will prepare contractors to manage construction contracting requirements for City Capital Improvement Projects. Areas of focus in the public contracting process will include pre-qualification, certification and City public policies, network fees, bonding and insurance requirements, and employee reporting requirements.
Merriwether & Williams will work with representatives from the Departments of Labor and Employment, Transportation, Public Works, and Economic & Personnel Development to identify specific training needs. Among the challenges that need to be addressed is access to bonds and bridging cash flows.
Contractors interested in receiving support should contact Merriwether & Williams at (510) 740-6922 or email CTAP@imwis.com.
Technical Assistance Support for Small Businesses owned by BIPOC To develop sustainable economic development projects in the City and recovery, staff from partner organizations – The Unity Council and Black Cultural Zone CDC – they will provide personal access to small businesses with BIPOC as well as low-income businesses. corridors from East to West in Oakland including 30 community tracts designated as Opportunity Zones, and the “Better Neighborhoods, Same Neighbors” project area in East Oakland where 51% of the area is within Top 5% of California’s disadvantaged population.
In addition to providing financial resources, personnel and technology, service providers will identify unmet business training needs. The partners expect to deliver 12 new courses and workshops per year.
Businesses interested in receiving support should contact Karen Gordon Brown and the Black Cultural Zone at (510) 470-0183 or karen@blackculturalzone.org; or Mayra Chavez with The Unity Council at mchavez@unitycouncil.org or visit unitycouncil.org/biz.
In addition to additional support to businesses, the two partners will benefit from training that builds the organization’s capacity.
“The EDA Grant furthers our goals of supporting and expanding local small businesses to maintain and create good jobs in Oakland,” said Alexa Jeffress, Director of the City’s Economic & Department of Human Resource Development.
About EDA Grant City staff from Economic & The Department of Workforce Development and the Department of Public Works made a grant proposal based on the EDA’s 2020 Economic Adjustment Assistance Program competitive grant, with The Unity Council and Black Cultural Zone CDC as co-applicants. After a multi-stage federal review, Oakland’s proposal was awarded $1 million in funding in July 2021. A competitive RFP process in late 2021 led to the selection of Merriwether & amp ; Williams as a community partner for the minority contractor support program. In January 2022, the City Council passed a Resolution to accept and award the grant. Negotiations and execution of the contract were completed last month.
The mandated match for EDA funding is met by the Black Cultural Zone through “Better Neighborhoods, Same Neighbors” Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) which provides financial assistance to help businesses in far Oakland and with support from The Unity Council. and the City of Oakland.
Continuous Business Support Resources To inform Oakland businesses of resources that can help them recover from this pandemic and grow, the City sends business updates periodically. Businesses are encouraged to register to receive this information.
The Neighborhood Business Assistance Program allows entrepreneurs and business owners to schedule one-on-one time with City support staff at seven different locations throughout Oakland. Applications can be made online at oaklandca.gov/BizHelp or by calling (510) 238-7398.
About Merriwether & Williams Insurance ServicesOver the past 25 years, Merriwether & Williams has worked to remove barriers for contractors, helping small businesses, women, and people with disabilities apply for more than $1.05 billion in public works construction while they offer more than $20 million to secure the contract to their partners. Participating contractors have successfully completed work at a consistently low 1% turnover rate, compared to a very high average in the construction industry.
About The Unity CouncilThe Unity Council promotes social equality and improves the quality of life by building vibrant and vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn and thrive. Business assistance is provided at the Business Assistance Center at Fruitvale Transit Village and is woven through grants and resources from EDA grants, the Onward Oakland program and various partners.
About the CDC’s Black Area Community Development Corporation The Black Area CDC’s mission is to focus on Black people, culture, and economics as they jointly design, resource, transform, and building collective power for the benefit of our community. The long-term impact of BCZ CDC’s Vision and Mission is a social disruption and economic development model where few benefits have accrued to the most vulnerable communities in our country, particularly in black communities such as East Oakland.
