Osceola County moves to diversify its business partners

By Jeannette Rivera-Lyles | Sentinel Staff Writer
March 29, 2009

Despite its demographics, Osceola County does not have a policy to ensure that it does business with companies that reflect the cultural diversity of the county's taxpayers.

Osceola's population is 39 percent Hispanic and 9 percent black, according to 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

The absence of such a policy has been a sore spot for years in the county's relationship with minority business leaders, who say that without inclusion rules, it is very difficult to get the jobs. But that could soon change.

"Osceola needs a program that helps minority-owned, and small businesses in general, break through the circle of influence," said Joseph E. Rodriguez, a Kissimmee-based road construction subcontractor. "These are people that have been in the business for a long time, who also use the same companies over and over.

"I am very mindful of the fact that we have to do it carefully and within constitutional parameters," Quiñones said.

Kissimmee, Osceola's largest city, also does not have a minority-inclusion policy. Orange County and Orlando have had policies in place for years.

Rodriguez said that in his 15 years in the industry, his company, MSE Systems, has worked for the Florida Department of Transportation and the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, among others. He has never gotten work from Osceola County.

Some types of set-aside programs — which mandate a specific percentage of government contracts go to minority firms — are illegal. When creating policy, local governments must make sure their actions don't constitute reverse discrimination. It is a fine line to walk, but one that could ultimately maximize Osceola's chances to secure federal funding for myriad projects.

"Most federal programs require minority participation," Quiñones said. "If we want the money, we have to be able to show the federal government that we can follow their policies."

Assistant County Attorney Olga Sanchez de Fuentes said she was researching how other counties have dealt with the subject. The process, she said, was still in the "early stages."

Quiñones, nevertheless, said he would like to see a policy in place "within the next few weeks."

Ramón Ojeda, president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, said he applauded Osceola for "finally moving forward" on the issue of inclusion.

"As diverse as this community is, and based on standard business practices, we can't afford not to have a basic procedure in place for minority inclusion," Ojeda said. "Local governments, just as it is done at the federal level, need to make sure that minority companies get their fair shake. It's not a matter of favoritism or special treatment, but a basic issue of fairness."

Jeannette Rivera-Lyles can be reached at jriveralyles@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5471.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loc ... 3461.story

Just in time for the new federal construction stimulus funds.