8 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 9 Number 5


Study: Minority and Women-Owned Businesses Earn Greater Share of City Dollars in Hampton


disparity study in 2006, Hampton has dramatically


A 2006 study showed that 3.42 percent of Hampton city and schools spending in of construction, engineering,


the professional architecture


other services and goods went to minority-


Since its first procurement increased the share of


business that goes to minority- and women-owned companies, according to the latest study.


categories and


services, and women-owned


businesses — for a total of $11.4 million in a five-year period.


In the latest study (read the


executive summary), the dollar value of work that went to women and minority-owned companies increased by 250% — to $28.4 million – during a period in which total spending by the


city declined. That means the


percentage of work done by minority- and women-owned firms increased from 3.42% to 11.4% of total spending.


The 2006 study looked at fiscal years 1999-2003; the 2014 study examined fiscal years 2008-2012. Hampton made a number of changes in 2009 in response to the 2006 disparity report, including:


• Increasing


participation businesses


opportunities for of M/WBE


• Increasing awareness of M/WBE program and identifying M/WBE vendors.


• Revising the bidding procedures and guidelines to increase potential for M/WBE participation.


• Providing training and financial assistance.


• Implementing According to an effective


monitoring process for vendors and city staff.


the report by


MGT of America, “The City should be commended for the significant progress in implementing the rec- ommendations of the last


disparity


study and in the 2009 M/WBE Plan (Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise


Program).”


That said, the consultants provided specific goals for the city and schools to continue making progress toward increasing opportunities for women- and minority-owned The


businesses. consultant continuing also a tailored


recommended program to


connect with those businesses. Get a jump on your competition... Advertise.


Call the Hampton Roads Messenger at 757-575-1863


Left to right - Logan Schmidt, VP Business Banking, Monarch Bank; Blake Martin; Tony Crawford; Jake Shatzer; Jack Hayes


Governor’s STEM Technology, Engineering,


Grassfield High School’s (Science, and


Mathematics) Academy is a great place for young entrepreneurs. the “Global Entrepreneurship Technology”


In and pathway, students


take a course called Entrepreneur- ship and Leadership Development, which provides opportunities to learn from local entrepreneurs as students develop their own business ideas


This fall the class took a field


trip to Jody’s Popcorn corporate office and production facility where they had an opportunity to meet with and talk to Jody Wagner, founder of the business. They also took part in an Entrepreneur Summit arranged for them by the Chesapeake Office of Economic Development.


Angela


Barber, business development manager, and Ben White, assistant director, gave an overview of the benefits Chesapeake offers to new businesses.


Students then met


in small groups with two local entrepreneurs and a representative from Monarch Bank to share ideas and ask questions about the entrepre- neurial process.


Speaking about the


Entrepreneur Summit, student Kayla Cervi said, “The experience was invaluable.


It allowed us to see how


the things we’re learning in class are applicable to real life.”


Laura Beth Meinster, who


teaches the course, is always looking for ways to expose students to real world experiences.


during Global Entrepreneurship Week, the students participated the week-long DECA (Distributive


In November, in


Education Clubs of America) Idea Challenge. On the first day of the challenge, an everyday item was announced and students, working in groups, had to come up with an innovative use for the item. produced


They a three minute video,


explaining and pitching their product. This year’s item was newspaper. After researching statistics and trends to identify unmet needs or wants, students made a recycle bin, a locker organizer, flower pots, and a blanket which used shredded newspaper for insulation. “I was very impressed with the brainstorming and research carried out by each group. I think they really grasped the idea that en- trepreneurship is all about identifying problems and finding ways to solve them,” commented Mrs. Meinster.


Karen Black, the STEM Academy director, described the program


by saying, “The Global


Entrepreneurship and Technology pathway allows students to explore and refine their inner leadership skills and ideas.


Mrs. Meinster has


a way of nurturing students so that they become confident leaders and innovators. The skills and curriculum taught in the Global Entrepreneur- ship and are


critical


Technology pathway to


economic success


in the twenty-first century. Mrs. Meinster’s students are fortunate to have the opportunities in and out of the classroom at Grassfield High School.”


Left to right - Wesley Jones, Owner/Executive Vice President of Crewestone Technologies, Inc.; Reagan Jackson; Taylor Didawick; Abby White; Morgan Ehle


January 2015


Chesapeake Students Pursue Leadership in Entrepreneurship and Technology


HRM's Photos of the Month Photos courtesy of Chesapeake Public Schools


In addition to the entre-


preneurship course, STEM Academy students are able to take courses in sports, entertainment marketing, and global marketing.


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