Omaha.com
BY MATTHEW HANSEN
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Published Friday
March 13, 2009
A change sparked by Nebraska's affirmative action ban will transform the way Omaha companies receive slices of the city contracting pie.The Small Emerging Business Program, unveiled Friday by Mayor Mike Fahey, will greatly expand the number of businesses that qualify for special government subcontracts to do things like build libraries, repair fire stations and clean community centers.But it's unclear how the new program will affect minority- and female-owned businesses as well as extremely small companies.Those groups benefited from two now-defunct contracting programs — one that shuttled work to companies owned by minorities and women and another that sent work to tiny subcontractors.The previous programs became unconstitutional when Nebraska voters passed the affirmative action ban in November.Fahey called the affirmative action ban "unfortunate" but said the new Small Emerging Business Program was one that could help small businessmen and businesswomen of any color."We're opening the door for many more small businesses," Fahey said.
Full Story: http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1208&u_sid=10585766
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