Hughes calls for community support

August 2020 is the 14th annual National Black Business Month (NBBM), an observance that highlights the importance of African-American businesses to the Black community as well as our national economy. This celebration also generates awareness for the policy issues affecting African-American entrepreneurship. 

To support businesses owned by people of African descent, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes worked with the Mercer County Freeholder Board to formally establish goals in support of minority-owned small businesses through Ordinance No. 2018-5 passed on July 12, 2018, which established a Mercer County Set Aside Program pursuant to State Local Public Contracts Law, NJSA 40A:11-1 et seq. This program reserves 10 percent of the dollar value of all the County’s goods, professional services and construction contracts each year and encourages small business participation. The program allocates 30 percent for qualified* minority businesses; 30 percent for qualified women-owned businesses; 30 percent for qualified veteran-owned businesses; and 10 percent for small businesses.

“Across Mercer County we know that our Black-owned businesses contribute to the vibrancy of our communities,” said Mr. Hughes. “National Black Business Month is an ideal time to show your support and encouragement by patronizing our county’s array of minority-owned businesses.”