NY & NJ MSDC signs agreement with New York state

NEW YORK, NY –The New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council has signed a Memo of Understanding with the State of New York that permits councilcertified minority businesses to bid on state contracts.

The MOU was officially signed between Lynda Ireland, president and CEO of the NY & NJ MSDC and Michael Jones-Bey, executive director, New York State Division of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Development.

“The council would like to thank Michael Jones-Bey, Lt. Governor David Paterson, and Governor Eliot Spitzer for being at the forefront in advocating business opportunities for New York State’s minorities,” Ireland said. “According to the recent census on minority business ownership, New York City has the largest number of African American-, Asian-, and Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States. In fact, African American-owned businesses grew a massive 45 percent nationwide. Our council is honored to be able to aide metro area minority businesses with opportunities to develop and grow companies.”

The agreement was signed at the Partnership Awards Gala held in November 2007 in New York City.