Fostering an atmosphere where Pennsylvania small businesses can thrive has been a top priority of the Josh Shapiro-Austin Davis administration from its outset. Those efforts have paid off as the commonwealth set a record by allocating $691 million to small diverse businesses and veteran business enterprises during the 2022-23 fiscal year. The SDBs and VBEs are essential to guiding Pennsylvania out of tough economic times, Shapiro and Davis claim.
“Gov. Shapiro and I recognize that small businesses and small, diverse businesses are the backbone of our economy and the beating heart of communities across the commonwealth,” Lt. Gov. Davis said. “When we took office, we pledged to increase and open up new doors of opportunities for these businesses to compete for — and win — state contracts. I’m excited to see our efforts are already bearing fruit, but there is still much more work to be done, as we work to expand economic opportunity and help Pennsylvania families build generational wealth.”
The Department of General Services announced the $691 million figure for the most recent fiscal year, which represents a significant increase over the $562 million spent in 2022-23. Black- and Latino-owned businesses led the way with $136 million in investments, a $32 million increase over the 2022-23 figures reported by the DGS.
“These record-breaking investments in small businesses reflect the Shapiro-Davis administration’s unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive economy,” DGS secretary Reggie McNeil said. “By empowering business owners of all backgrounds, we’re not only fostering economic growth but also ensuring that the benefits of prosperity are shared across every community in Pennsylvania. This achievement is a testament to this administration’s continued focus on building a stronger, more equitable commonwealth.”
Last September 2023, Shapiro created the 16-member Pennsylvania Advisory Council for Inclusive Procurement Council to advise commonwealth agencies on efforts to be more inclusive in state contracting opportunities. Davis has hosted quarterly meetings since the PACIP first met in December 2023.
“Small and small diverse business owners in Pennsylvania face countless barriers when trying to do business with the commonwealth,” PACIP council member Stephanie Turman said. “We have been speaking out about these barriers for years, and we just want a fair shake. The Shapiro-Davis administration took our concerns seriously, and they took action.”
Deputy Secretary for DGS’s Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities Kerry Kirkland has made small businesses more aware of the opportunities available and streamline the process of procurement of business subsidies in the commonwealth.
“The strides the Shapiro-Davis administration has made in supporting small diverse businesses are the result of intentional, strategic actions to level the playing field,” Kirkland said. “Through innovative initiatives, consistent outreach and a relentless focus on inclusion, we are breaking down barriers and opening doors to opportunities that were previously out of reach for many. The Shapiro-Davis administration is dedicated to creating an environment where small and diverse businesses can thrive and contribute to the vibrant economic fabric of our state.”
