Minority-owned small businesses in Pennsylvania to receive more state funding in 2024

(WHTM) — Pennsylvania set a record in assisting minority-owned small businesses last year, and more money will be spent in 2024 as part of an aggressive campaign to help those businesses achieve their dreams.

Last year, for the first time, Pennsylvania steered nearly $700 million toward minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, including a Pittsburgh-based consulting firm owned by Stephanie Tulman.

“When trying to do business in the Commonwealth, it’s been a barrier,” Tulman said. “We have we have been speaking now about these barriers for years and just want a fair shake.”

The state has spent $20 million each of the past two years on programs that help historically disadvantaged companies pursue their business goals.

“We need to make sure that we are one breaking down barriers to make it easier for companies to compete,” said Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Austin Davis. “Because we know it’s just because you have more resources, in terms of employees, and can produce a better proposal doesn’t mean taxpayers are getting the best bang for their buck or getting the best product.”

Mark Domingos, owner of a Harrisburg-based moving company called MoversFor.Me, says the state walked him through the process and helped get him in the system.

“We picked up boxes for the Department of Labor in Pittsburgh,” Domingos said. “It’s good to have a relationship like this because Pennsylvania’s economy is huge, larger than a lot of small countries… It’s just a sense of happiness to be able to know that you can do work with the government entity.”

Pennsylvania has also implemented a prompt payment policy, which is crucial to small businesses that lack cash reserves, however they insist investing in small businesses has a big return.

“We started out with two employees,” said Blaine Stoddart, owner of a Philadelphia-based real estate and construction company called BFW Group. “Today we have 30 employees. The average salary of my employees goes from $69,000 to $170,000. Why don’t they come talk to us about living wage? We’re paying living wages in the state of Pennsylvania.”

For small businesses that want to learn more, get involved, and possibly receive state business, the Department of General Services does outreach across the Commonwealth . A list of upcoming trainings and events can be seen here .

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