Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul kicked off a series of visits to Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) across New York State in celebration of Women’s History Month. The statewide tour brings renewed focus to the Administration’s work to support women and minorities in achieving representative participation in the economy. The Lt. Governor’s first stop was at GENESYS Consulting Services in Albany.
In 2014, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo set a goal of utilizing MWBEs for 30 percent of State contracting – the highest such goal in the nation. In 2018, the State reached 28.6 percent utilization and MWBEs secured $2.5 billion in state contracts. Last month, the Governor announced legislation to re-authorize the MWBE program and advance numerous provisions designed to expand opportunities for MWBEs that want to engage in State contracting.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said, “New York remains committed to leveling the playing field and giving women and minority-owned businesses increased access to State contracts and funding. We are continuing our unprecedented commitment to MWBEs around the State by setting the highest utilization goal in the nation at 30 percent, and we are taking the next steps to continue breaking down the barriers these entrepreneurs face.”
ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “We cannot have a successful economy unless we have an inclusive economy. Every business owner should have equal ability to compete for and win state contracts – and our nation-leading MWBE program is doing just that. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Cuomo and Lt. Governor Hochul to re-authorize and expand this critical initiative.”
ESD Executive Vice President and Executive Director of the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development Valerie White said, “Across the state, women and minority entrepreneurs are applying for MWBE certification and competing for state contracts in record numbers. This program is working – it’s helping businesses grow, scale, and hire more employees – and we will continue to ensure State government helps uplift all business owners.”
The Lieutenant Governor will be kicking off her statewide tour with a visit to GENESYS Consulting Services at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in Albany. The company provides highly qualified information technology consulting specialists with the expertise required to design, develop, implement, and maintain technology solutions. The company, located at 1 Marcus Boulevard, was the recipient of the 2018 Carey Gabay Excellence and Innovation Award for Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises during the Governor’s 2018 MWBE Forum.
GENESYS Consulting Services CEO Cathy Bruschi said, “I am proud of the work that the GENESYS team has accomplished over the past 30 years serving New York State public and private sector organizations, and I am grateful for the leadership the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor have demonstrated supporting minority and women-owned businesses. GENESYS is fortunate to call New York’s Capital Region home and we are committed to upholding the standards of the Carey Gabay Excellence and Innovation Award each and every day.”
Since 2011, state-certified MWBEs have won more than $13 billion in State contracts and the State has certified more than 7,500 MWBEs. In total, there are more than 8,600 certified New York State MWBEs – one of the largest groups of MWBE firms ready, willing, and able to perform on public contracts in the nation.
To learn more about becoming a State-certified MWBE, visit http://www.ny.gov/MWBECertification or call (212) 803-2414.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.
Contact:
Haley Viccaro | [email protected] | (518) 474-6807
Jack Sterne | [email protected] | (212) 803-3764