The House Majority Policy Committee recently held a hearing on how supplier diversity and supporting minority-owned businesses will strengthen the supply chain.
“The region, state and nation is better served – and only capable of reaching its economic potential – when all parties have a seat at the table, when underserved communities have the ability for economic success and growth, and all parties are actively involved in contributing to the state’s economic success,” House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie County) said.
The committee heard testimony from Tina Doose, Mon Metro Chamber of Commerce founder and board president; Majestic Lane, Allegheny Conference chief equity officer; Brian Oglesby, Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council president and CEO; and Alexis Russell, Russell General Contracting owner and consultant.
Oglesby submitted his testimony in writing. In his letter, he recommended best practices for increasing diverse supplier engagement. They include focusing on accessibility; emphasizing financial impact, growth, and communication; promoting transparency; and encouraging diversity in subcontracting.
He suggested several actions that could be taken to achieve those goals. They include preparing small and diverse businesses to become future suppliers, and direct outreach to, and sustained engagement with, the supplier community.
The hearing was held at Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh.