Tanisha Hurd of Bronx Chamber of Commerce supports Intro 694 and 208

And the last person slated to testify today doesn't share their name, so we'll have to ask you to share your name on the record.

But we have you listed as the new BXCC.

Good afternoon, Chair Ressler and members of the Committee on Contracts.

My name is Tanisha Hurd, and I'm representing the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

The Bronx Chamber is really critical in helping local businesses in the Bronx grow, thrive, and remain competitive.

And for many Bronx entrepreneurs, especially first-gen business owners, the chamber is the very first place they turn to for support.

And so the Bronx Chamber fully supports Intro 694, which would expand government outreach when MWBE utilization targets are unmet.

And intro.

208, which will include Middle Eastern and North African entrepreneurs in getting NWBE certifications.

In the Bronx, the Middle Eastern and North African community is a vital and growing part of our borough, home to cultural centers like Little Yemen.

Nationwide, we've seen how Middle Eastern and North African Americans are underrepresented in government data, which is suppressing the economic needs of this group and preventing them from accessing programs.

To build on the great work MWBE is doing, we would assess Middle Eastern and North African Americans for program eligibility, especially as our community continues to grow here in the Bronx.

As it relates to Intro 694, where it will study business owners within this group through disparity studies.

If the results show that they are eligible, the program will include them in the MWBE benefits and continue supporting the growth for Bronx businesses.

Alongside adding new business owners, the MWBE program must also strengthen mechanisms to improve equity in the Bronx by implementing Intro 208.

By requiring government agencies to conduct education and outreach if they do not reach their goals, businesses under MWBE

will have improved access to contracts and opportunities, and their success will expand through the borough.

Expanding access to MWBE programs and strengthening its requirements will help ensure more city dollars reach Bronx businesses and communities.

By investing in our diverse businesses, we strengthen our local economy, our borough, and of course, the city at large.

So we look forward to working with the council to continue to strengthen local businesses and the chamber fully supports Intro 208 and 964.

And we hope that you are able to move these critical bills forward.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much, Ms.

Hurd, and we really appreciate you taking the time to testify and look forward to working with the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

I think that they're definitely an important partner for SBS as we do more to engage more MWBEs and get them connected to city contracts.

I think that that is all we have for today.

So with that, I just want to thank everybody for coming.

Ashley, thank you for spending however many hours with us and everybody else for being here.

We appreciate you, and I hope everybody has a wonderful afternoon.

We're adjourned.

Thank you.

Take care.