Our Compliance & Diversity Division is particularly busy these days. The Division recently held its annual Management Company Awards to honor the achievements of companies in contracting with minority (MBEs) and women business enterprises (WBEs). And on November 19, Compliance & Diversity will hold a Western Massachusetts MBE/WBE Trade Fair in West Springfield.
MassHousing is committed to increasing opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses to participate in the developments we finance and oversee. Our Compliance & Diversity puts that desire into action. The Division works with property managers and general contractors to set and achieve goals for MBE/WBE utilization. In our last fiscal year, MassHousing-financed rental communities generated $200 million in contracts for goods and services; $34.8 million (17.4%) went to MBEs and $23.3 million (11.6%) went to WBEs.
For some time, MassHousing only held trade fairs in the eastern part of the state. We still do, but last year we re-instituted the Western Mass. edition. The event in Springfield puts companies in the western part of the state in the same room as general contractors, property managers, government officials and others from the area, and will hopefully spur some mutually beneficial business relationships.
Learn more about our programs and resources to promote more opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses.