(Erie County, NY) Legislator Jeanne M. Vinal is hosting a free program for businesses who are interested in becoming certified as a New York State Minority or Women Business Enterprise (MWBE). The program is Monday, August 31 from 1 pm to 5pm. Space is limited to 10 companies for social distancing purposes. In order to respond to disparities in past discrimination in opportunities, all states and the federal government have contract requirements to have inclusion of women owned businesses and minority owned businesses. The first session has been completely filled, but Vinal is open to hosting more of these events, if there is sufficient interest.

"Economic opportunity is always important but even more urgent for small businesses with the COVID shut down and partial re-openings and other challenges small business has faced in Amherst and throughout the country," said Erie County Legislator Jeanne M. Vinal.  “Although this is only one part of the economy, it can bring money from all over the state for local businesses and even from other parts of the US.  New York maintains a list of all certified MWBEs, who are able to bid on state contracts. 

Prior to becoming a legislator, Vinal helped several small businesses with certification, and she will be on hand to answer legal questions, pro bono. The Erie County Board of Elections is providing privacy panels to protect confidential information, and Legislator Vinal's long-time litigation paralegal, Jen Griesbaum will be assisting. Duane J. Whitmer, an accountant who owns Whitmer Accounting and Tax, LLC will be available for general accounting information. 

Legislator Jeanne M. Vinal, who previously served on the Amherst MWBE committee, obtained help from Lisa Roy, a former member of the Amherst MWBE and Chamber of Commerce, who now works with local business in Junior Achievement. Ms. Roy had begun work on a list of MWBE businesses in Amherst. Jeanne Vinal had two interns working this summer at her legislative office, Anna Lin and Aamna Soniwala, high school students from Williamsville.  Aamna created a spread sheet and did a mail merge and sent invitations to the 296 businesses. 

In addition, Legislator Vinal has proposed a local law to have all county contract and bidding opportunities to send emails using the state MWBE list and to allow any small business in Erie County to get their name added to that list, by industry code.  This is to make the playing field equal for companies that do not have a full time person dedicated to finding opportunities for business growth. 

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