Council Votes to Accept Disparity Study
Public Comment Sought on Small Business Policy Options

At an A Session Public Hearing held today, City Council voted to accept the findings and recommendations of the 2009 San Antonio Regional Business Disparity Causation Analysis Study (Disparity Study) for the purposes policy development.

“The results indicate the City has done a good job of providing opportunities for small, minority and women-owned business, but we can do better, “said Deputy City Manager A.J. Rodriguez.
“Although the Disparity Study is an important resource in the development of a small, minority, and women-owned business program, it will not be the sole source of data used to develop policy options.”

Next, the City will hold a Business Stakeholders Meeting hosted by the City of San Antonio Small Business Advocacy Committee (SBAC). Attendees will review and comment on preliminary policy options drawn from the Disparity Study recommendations and previous input from the business community. The meeting will be held Thursday, July 9, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Plaza Building, B Room, 114 W. Commerce.

Comment received at the Stakeholders Meeting will be considered in drafting recommendations regarding the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Ordinance. Upon the creation of a SBEDA Draft Ordinance, the City will initiate a Public Comment Period from August 1 through August 31.

Individuals interested in commenting on the City’s policy options are encouraged to attend. The Business Stakeholder’s Meeting is free and open to the public. For more information or to RSVP, contact Claudia Hernandez at (210) 207-3907.