Utilities commit to growing diversity program
State utilities involved in a contractor diversity program spent $567.64 million in 2015 on goods and services from such minority businesses, about 18 percent of their total procurement spending, up from about 17 percent in 2014, according to a report by the Maryland Public Service Commission.
At a public hearing of the commission Thursday, regulators, small-business owners and lawmakers asked utilities to accelerate the diversity program that they said lifts up small businesses, creates jobs and supports local communities.
“We still have a long way to go,” said Del. Barbara Robinson of Baltimore. “I want to encourage those who have reached their goals to reach back and help those who have not reached their goals.”
Under a 2009 agreement, Maryland utilities committed to increase their purchasing of goods and services from minority businesses to 25 percent of their total contracting and agreed to report their progress annually.
Four companies — the Association of Maryland Pilots, Potomac Edison, AT&T and Washington Gas Light — exceeded the goal in 2015.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., a subsidiary of Exelon and among the largest utilities in the state, spent $180.88 million with minority contractors, 21.75 percent of its total procurement spending, up from 17.22 percent in 2014.
Emmett T. Vaughn, the director of Exelon's Office of Diverse Business Empowerment, said Exelon and its subsidiaries are committed to further improving diversity among contractors.
Ward Tucker said his Crofton-based underground utility construction and traffic control businesses are evidence that the program has helped small businesses grow and is a worthy investment for utilities.
The program's benefits go beyond a boost to his businesses, Tucker said. He focuses on hiring local unemployed workers and training them to someday advance to construction jobs.
“They come home in a vest, work boots, hard hat — their families see that,” Tucker said. “It's about the community, too.”
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