
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, February 25, 1991                   TAG: 9102250163
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MORE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PUSHED

Councilman William White wants Roanoke to take a more aggressive role in stimulating the development of small and minority-owned businesses.

White said he had the impression that the city encouraged affirmative action in small and minority-owned business development only because it is required for projects that are financed with federal money.

"It is my view that the public sector must set an example for the private sector in this area," he said in a letter on City Council's agenda for tonight.

Based on a discussion of small and minority-business development at council's meeting last week, White said he thought the city has "some work to be done in this area."

Affirmative action programs for small and minority-owned businesses are "a good business practice" and "in the public interest," White said.

"I feel this is an area where a local government can have significant impact without expanding additional funds or creating new programs," he said.

"Small businesses create the majority of new jobs created in this country and, in our community, they are more likely to employ persons who would require some type of local government assistance," he said.

If city government can stimulate the growth of small businesses, he said, it will be a financial benefit for taxpayers.

White has asked City Manager Robert Herbert to provide a briefing to council on the issue, including a historical perspective and proposed strategy to simulate small and minority-owned business development.

Last week, White said he wanted to make certain the city has a policy to ensure that minority-owned and small businesses are treated fairly and have a chance to bid on projects and get a fair share of city business.

Herbert said the city is required to use minority-owned contractors on some federally funded projects. The city's Purchasing Department also keeps a list of minority-owned contractors and businesses to make sure they have the chance to bid on projects and goods that are financed with local tax money, he said.

by CNB