Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced legislation to reauthorize and to expand the MWBE Program to more contracts entirely funded by the state.

The proposed legislative changes and expansion to include all state-funded contracts would leverage the largest pool of state funding in history to combat systemic discrimination and create new opportunities for MWBE participation at every level, according to Cuomo.

Since 2011, state-certified MWBEs have won more than $10.4 billion in state contracts and the state has certified more than 6,600 MWBEs and re-certified more than 4,700 MWBEs.

“In New York, we know that our economy is strongest when everyone is empowered to participate, which is why we continue to work to increase access and opportunities to success for minority and women owned businesses to strengthen and diversify our economy,” Cuomo said. “These actions will break down barriers to success and empower these business owners to help fuel our economy and move this great state forward.”

By Maureen Werther

Roberta Berkowitz started Prendo Forensics LLC in 2010 after a 25-year career in sales and management. Since that time, the company has received several Woman and Minority Owned Business Enterprise (WMBE) certifications on the state and national level, allowing her business to be eligible to bid on state and federal contracts.

Prendo Forensics LLC, in Bolton Landing, provides forensics and digital-related supplies and equipment to local, state and federal government agencies, as well as to colleges, universities, high schools and BOCES training programs. Berkowitz describes her company as a “sole source provider,” which means that clients can order a broad range of equipment and supplies from a variety of manufacturers through a single distributor.

She sells law enforcement supplies and forensic products for crime scene investigations and training.

By Jill Nagy

Wetlands scientist and ecologist Deborah Roberts is used to being called in at the beginning, the middle and the end of various projects.

Her company, Roberts Environmental Consulting in Queensbury, can warn a potential developer of environmental constraints on a planned project; can help guide a developer through environmental issues during the course of a project; and, if necessary, can suggest ways to remediate environmental blunders.

Roberts formed the company in 1994, after several years working for a large company in the Boston area. She moved back to the area where she grew up when her children were in grade school. She then set up shop on her own.

Today, with those children long since grown and gone, she still relishes the independence of her own company, the flexibility and the control she has over her projects.

The Capital District Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), a nonprofit organization serving women in the construction and related industries, invites New York State Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) to showcase their businesses at the third annual NYS MWBE Showcase this month.

The event is set for 5-8 p.m.  Tuesday, March 27, at the Century House in Latham.

Following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2014 mandate to increase statewide MWBE utilization goals to 30 percent for all state contracts, it is crucial for businesses that are at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by women or minorities to get certified and market themselves as certified businesses. 

The annual showcase will create an avenue for MWBEs to not only market themselves to representatives from state agencies, architects, subcontractors, owners, developers and engineers, but also give them a chance to network with other MWBEs in the state.