DEBCC identifies 10x more Black-owned Delaware business owners compared to Census
In 2022, after much advocacy from the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce (DEBCC), the State of Delaware started giving business owners who registered or renewed their businesses through the One Stop portal the option to identify as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group, a veteran, disabled or a woman.
Even with it being completely optional, the data that’s been recently obtained from business owners “checking the box” shows that everyone, including the DEBCC, was significantly underestimating the number of Black business owners in the state.
This data could impact resources, programming and government procurement.
➡️ Read more about it in my report here.
Out of DC: Procurement Sciences AI aims to streamline government contracting
Speaking of government procurement, a DC startup using AI to help businesses handle piles of documentation and identify opportunities just raised $10 million in its recent Series A round.
“[Founder Christian] Ferreira is a former United States Marine Corps sergeant and War in Afghanistan veteran who worked in government contracting after his military service,” writes DC reporter Kaela Roeder. “He’s looking to remedy’ pain points’ in the procurement process, like manually sifting through hundreds of pages of documents.”
➡️ Read more in Kaela’s report here.
News Incubator: What else to know today
• If Invista closes its Seaford nylon plant, can the location go from a factory that employs 400 to one that employs closer to 4,000, like it’s glory days? [Delaware Business Times]
• Delaware School Board elections are on May 18. TSD has a roundup of guides to help you cast your ballot [Town Square Delaware]
• Dover is one of “The South’s Best Cities on the Rise” in this month’s Southern Living magazine. DO answers your questions [DelawareOnline]
• Delaware pushes to host even more online sports betting vendors; The Delaware Lottery resists [Delaware public media]
🗓️ On the Calendar
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