The skanner., September 26, 2012, Page 21, Image 21

MBE2012
PDC Establishes East
Portland Enterprise Zone
T
he state of Oregon has approved PDC’s applica-
tion to establish an Enterprise Zone (E-Zone)
focused predominantly on geography east of
Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
The application was supported by numerous public
and private entities, including Multnomah County, the
Technology Association of Oregon, Greater Portland
Inc., Columbia Corridor Association, the Port of
Portland and the Portland City Council.
The E-Zone is a state economic development program
proven to support business growth, job creation and
community benefits from companies which make capi-
tal investments in their operations. In return, eligible
companies receive a five-year property tax abatement
on the value of their new invest ment.
The E-Zone program presents one of Portland’s
strongest economic development tools for retaining and
attracting jobs and employment. Since 1996, with more
than 50 companies participating and 30 firms currently
active, the City’s E-Zone program in North/Northeast
Portland has leveraged more than $1 billion in private
investments and has created and retained more than
5,000 full-time, quality jobs. In 2009 alone, E-Zone
companies purchased $60 million in materials, supplies
and services from other companies in Portland.
The new E-Zone will exist between Northeast Airport
Way and Milwaukie and between Southeast Cesar
Chavez Boulevard and Gresham. East Portland has both
a growing population and increased diversity, but job
and economic growth have not kept up at the same
pace.
“We’ve seen the E-zone bring considerable benefits
to the businesses and residents in North and Northeast
Portland over the last 15 years,” PDC Executive
Director Patrick Quinton said.
For more info go to www.pdc.us.
Home Forward Contracting and Equity
Assistant Director Focuses on Mentoring
By Bruce Poinsette
Of The Skanner News
C
inna’Mon Williams has
worked in government pro-
curement for over 15 years. She is
currently the assistant director for
Contracting and Equity at Home
Forward. She is responsible for
oversight of all aspects of the
agency’s professional services,
construction, social service and
maintenance related contractual
agreements. In addition, she acts
as the agency’s representative for
economic equity and man-
ages the procurement card
program. Prior, Williams
worked in a variety of
Procurement positions at
Metro Regional Government
for ten years.
She is a long term active
member of the Oregon
Association of Minority
Entrepreneurs (OAME) and
the past chair of the OAME
Advisory Board, a member
of the executive board of the
Business Diversity Institute
(BDI), a board member of
the local chapter of the National
Forum
for
Black
Public
Administrators (NFBPA), actively
Williams believes diversity in
the local procurement
arena should include the
individuals working on the
procurement team, as well
as the vendors and
contractors getting the work
involved in the American Contract
Compliance Association (ACCA), an active
participant of the Oregon Public Purchasing
Association (OPPA) and past board member
of the Columbia Chapter of the
National Institute of NIGP.
“It is my goal to coach and
mentor young professionals of
color interested in government
procurement,” says Williams.
She believes diversity in the
local procurement arena should
include the individuals working
on the procurement team, as
well as the vendors and contrac-
tors getting the work. Her vision
includes consistent inclusion of
people of color and women on
Home Forward projects in both
direct contracts and on the
sub-tier level. She wants to
ensure that Home Forward
residents have access to
meaningful employment and
workforce opportunities.
Williams says she looks for
a number of factors when
awarding
contracts
to
MWESBs, the primary one
being that they work to
increase their capacity.
“In the end, we want to see
the MWESB’s that have
worked on Home Forward
projects move on to larger proj-
ects and to reach back and men-
tor up and coming MWESB
businesses,” she says.
September 26, 2012 • The Portland Skanner • Minority Business Enterprise • Page 9