MEMPHIS, Tenn. — New projects are going on all across Memphis and there are plenty of work opportunities.
A symposium Tuesday was designed to make sure more minorities and women businesses know that.
Tasha Coburn and Dana Clark just started a staffing service.
“When you are looking for opportunities that are coming to the city, you never know who to reach out to make connections. So essentially we came here for connection purposes,” said Coburn.
“We are trying to put people to work, connect with organizations, companies throughout the city. We just want an opportunity for business,” said Clark.
The City wants to improve the number of minority contracts it awards which was only 12 percent when Mayor Jim Strickland took office in January.
“Under Mayor Strickland’s leadership, we have been able to increase minority contracts by 17%,” said Joann Massey, Director of Business Diversity and Compliance.
She was hired to bring more minorities to the table.
At the symposium, division leaders went over jobs the city is looking to contract out.
“Runs the gamut from websites, janitorial, construction,” said Massey. “They will have info they can actually bid for those opportunities.”
Chris O’Conner said a city contract turned his business around.
His production company created an animated video for the symposium.
“It really changed my business, changed my life. That contract allowed me to get my first office, allowed me to hire my first employee,” said O’Conner.
It’s what many businesses hope for, a piece of the pie.
The City has also put a lot of information on its website on how to connect with city officials for contract work.
