The Cuyahoga County government, in partnership with Griffin & Strong, P.C. is conducting a series of public hearings to gather comment from business owners and from the business community on public contracting procedures and opportunities for small and diverse businesses.

The Cuyahoga County Office of Procurement & Diversity has engaged Griffin & Strong, P.C to conduct a disparity study to examine relevant evidence to ascertain whether discrimination exists in the process of awarding contracts to Minority and Women Owned businesses. The study will focus on the availability and utilization of Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (collectively “M/WBEs”) in County contracting and examine relevant evidence of the effects of race- or gender-based discrimination upon the utilization of such businesses in County contracting.

Beginning October 15th, the business community is invited to provide input on ways the state the County can improve in its contracting process. There will be two (2) meetings will be held in the County:

Tuesday, October 15th, 2019

6:00PM-7:30PM

Cleveland Hts. – University Hts. Public Library

Meeting Room 1 & 2

2345 Lee Road

Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118

Wednesday, October 16th, 2019

6:00PM-7:30PM

Cuyahoga County Library – Parma Heights Branch

Meeting Room A

6206 Pearl Rd

Parma Heights, OH 44130

Free Parking and light refreshments will be available for all meeting attendees.

Also note that this meeting is being presided over by Griffin & Strong, P.C. and not Cuyahoga County. Neither GSPC or County personnel will be responding to questions, only accepting commentary. If needed, GSPC may ask follow up questions for additional clarity. For questions or concerns, please email Griffin & Strong Project Manager, Sterling Johnson, at CuyahogaCoStudy@gspclaw.com or visit https://cuyahogacountydisparitystudy.com/. Please note all comments during the meeting may be recorded and potentially used in the studies.