News Summary
Orange County has introduced a new Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program to replace its Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program, which was suspended due to federal regulations. The SBE program aims to ensure at least 15% of county contracts go to small businesses, focusing on merit-based opportunities. Public consultations are set to gather input for the final framework, as officials work to make the program accessible and free from barriers that may hinder participation from small and minority-owned businesses.
Orlando, FL – Orange County has launched a new Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program following the suspension of its Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program due to federal regulations. The decision to establish the SBE program was made by county commissioners in July 2025, in compliance with a federal executive order aimed at promoting merit-based opportunities while eliminating race and gender-specific contracting measures.
Currently, the SBE program is in development, with public input sought to refine its framework. The initiative is positioned to encourage the participation of small businesses in county contracts for goods and services, aiming for at least 15% of county procurement opportunities to come from SBE contracts. In contrast, the prior MWBE program aimed for a 24% participation level, raising concerns over potential decreased opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses under the new initiative.
The suspension of the MWBE program was necessitated by a federal directive from January 2025 titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” This executive order from the Trump administration opposes programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, mandating compliance from federal funding recipients. As a response, county legal advisors indicated that continuation of the MWBE program could risk significant federal funding, which could reach hundreds of millions of dollars and potentially have adverse implications on vital community services, such as Head Start and affordable housing initiatives.
The development of the SBE program had already been under consideration prior to MWBE’s suspension, responding to findings from a 2023 disparity study conducted by Griffin & Strong, which highlighted substantial underutilization of minority- and women-owned businesses in county procurement processes. The urgency of launching the SBE program intensified as a result of the MWBE suspension.
County officials are actively gathering final details and eligibility criteria for the SBE program, which will require small businesses to obtain certification as SBE contractors through an application process. Initial certifications are set to last for up to two years. The county aims to establish realistic gross receipts thresholds for eligibility, as there is no intention to enforce a $2.2 million cap that was previously associated with the MWBE program.
Public consultations are scheduled to commence on July 18, 2025, with 21 public meetings planned to seek input from local small businesses. The county is focused on ensuring that the new SBE program is accessible and free from unnecessary barriers that might impact participation. County Commissioner Mayra Uribe has emphasized the need for simpler access to the program for small businesses and is addressing concerns about current obstacles in the contracting process.
Feedback from the community is being solicited on various aspects of the eligibility criteria, including limits on gross receipts and definitions of business size. The transition from the MWBE program to the SBE program reflects a broader trend observed among local agencies; similar programs supporting minority and women-owned businesses in Orlando and Palm Beach County have also been halted in compliance with federal mandates.
As the county works to finalize the SBE program, officials are committed to fostering an environment that promotes small business participation in county contracts while adhering to new legal requirements. The upcoming public meetings represent a crucial opportunity for small businesses to influence the development of the program and ensure that their voices are heard in the county contracting landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Orlando Weekly: Orange County Creates Small Business Program
- WESH: Orange County Support for Small Businesses
- WFTV: Orange County Announces Webinars for Small Business Owners
- Wikipedia: Small Business
- News Observer: Orange County Small Business News
