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Targeted Business Program
The Office for Business and Community Economic Development strives to support business owned and operated by people of color, women and persons with a disability and meet the Board of Regents’ objectives in the area of Urban Community Economic Development. As stated in the Policy, the goal of the Targeted Business Program is to meet:
“[T]he University’s outreach and public service mission mandates that it foster economic growth in the urban communities of which it is a part….[taking] advantage of opportunities, presented by its construction projects and its contracts for goods and services, to promote the training and employment of urban community residents in skilled trades and professions.” (Click here for full policy.)
Toward this goal the University is committed to the use of its purchasing power to enhance employment and business opportunities with targeted businesses. The Office for Business and Community Economic Development is charged with outreach, monitoring and reporting responsibilities necessary to impact this goal.
As a result of its enduring commitment to this goal, the University has spent approximately $500M with targeted businesses over the life of the program. The direct and indirect impact of these investments, the circulating and recirculating of these dollars within Minnesota’s urban communities, fosters the community and economic development outcomes needed to meet the Regents’ goal.
Goods & Services
The University of Minnesota relies on targeted business for goods and professional services on both a system wide and departmental basis. Holding contracts in the areas from temporary staffing, office supply, diverse suppliers play a critical role in adding value to the University’s operation. The Targeted Business Program serves as a first stop for certified targeted business wanting to explore potential opportunities to do business with the University. Learn more about how the University purchases goods and services by visiting our vendor links.
One tool used to increase the utilization of targeted businesses by University departments is the Awards Incentive and Recognition (AIR) Program. Designed to recognize University departments and individual staff persons who demonstrate exemplary efforts in supporting and doing business with Targeted Businesses, the AIR Program is a key means of recognizing program excellence. Through this program departments can receive financial rewards based on their efforts to purchase goods and services from targeted businesses while individual staff are also recognized and rewarded for their work in assisting and creating business opportunities for targeted businesses. Hosted annually, the annual AIR Awards Luncheon is a time of celebration and acknowledgement.
Construction
The University of Minnesota is committed to community and economic development. In partnership with community-based organizations, city government, unions, and primary contractors, the University strives to implement innovative strategies to build a diverse labor force on all University construction projects.
The Office for Business & Community Economic Development in conjunction with Capital Planning and Project Management provides assistance and programs to promote inclusion for small minority- or women- owned businesses. At the start of every project, general contractors are required to establish levels of participation for targeted businesses. On a monthly basis, these reports are reviewed to determine if the projects are realized, and to identify areas for improvement. More details
EStaff & Departmental Directory
Existing University Contracts for Goods and Services
Purchasing Policy at the University (DOC)
UMBid: University RFP Notifications
University Small Business Report (FY11) (PDF)
Vendor Form (XLS, 167 KB)
Sharon Banks
Phone #: (612) 626-8043
Email: banks016@umn.edu