<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>In the spirit of the great DEI resource that Raul just circulated, MassINC released a new report today on inclusive municipal procurement with compelling information about the landscape, the challenges, and the solutions. It could be helpful for you as well as something you can share with others in your municipality who handle vendors and contracts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://massinc.org/research/empowering-cities-to-accelerate-equitable-growth/">https://massinc.org/research/empowering-cities-to-accelerate-equitable-growth/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Prepared in partnership with Lawyers for Civil Rights, this study surveys the landscape for inclusive municipal procurement in Massachusetts. The analysis reveals large racial and ethnic disparities in public contracting and surfaces changes in state law that will empower cities to implement effective supplier diversity policies.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Building on an earlier 2021 MassINC <a href="https://massinc.org/research/entrepreneurs-of-color/">report</a> highlighting the economic imperative to support entrepreneurs of color, this timely analysis can help policymakers position cities to equitably spend an unprecedented infusion of federal resources from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://massinc.org/research/empowering-cities-to-accelerate-equitable-growth/">https://massinc.org/research/empowering-cities-to-accelerate-equitable-growth/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>André Leroux<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Principal, Leroux Solutions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>TDI Consultant, MassDevelopment<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Gateway Hubs Director, MassINC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.leroux.solutions/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.leroux.solutions</span></a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:andre@leroux.solutions"><span style='color:#0563C1'>andre@leroux.solutions</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(617) 251-3861 cell<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>