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POLONCARZ SIGNS ERIE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE UTILIZATION LAW

County Executive is joined by Legislator St. Jean Tard, sponsor of the Act; encourages Small Business involvement in county procurement

 

 

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined today by Legislator Taisha St. Jean Tard (2nd District) as he signed the Erie County Small Business Enterprise Utilization Act into law. The Act, sponsored by legislator St. Jean Tard, encourages small business participation in county contracts. There are approximately 21,000 small businesses in Erie County with 49 employees or less that are not often represented in county procurements of goods and commodities, as well as professional services. Under the law, eligible small businesses located in Erie County will now have opportunities to bid on and procure county contracts for amounts in the $20,000 - $35,000 range. 

 

“This new law expands opportunities for local small businesses, and as they gain more county contracts those funds will be invested back in our community in the form of payroll, spending and more,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “By adjusting the bidding process, we are opening the door to more small business involvement, which is good for the entire county. We are investing in ourselves, and I thank Legislator St. Jean Tard for her work in helping small business locally.”

 

“This local law provides Erie County with the ability to spends its dollars in a way that will support local small businesses. I am proud that this local law will support our small businesses and keep more dollars in our local economy,” added Legislator Taisha St. Jean Tard (2nd District). 

 

Under the new law, “small business” refers to a business which:

 

  • performs a commercially useful function; 
  • has a principle place of business physically located in Erie County;
  • is not in any way affiliated with a franchise;
  • employs from 0-49 employees, including sole proprietorships; and,
  • has a gross annual revenue of not more than $5 million. 

 

    The Small Business Utilization Law can be read here .

 

 

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