Minority-Owned Businesses Get Tiny Fraction Of Minnesota’s Total Spending

Figures show minority–owned companies in Minnesota get a small fraction of state procurement work.

Minorities were awarded $14.3 million, less than one percent of the state’s $2 billion total spending on everything from construction to food services between July 2014 and July 2015.

On contracts of $500,000 or more, Minnesota requires companies to hire minority or other “targeted group subcontractors.”

The state, however, doesn’t check invoices to make sure they’re in compliance.