ABSTRACT
This chapter examines what extent minority procurement activities can be effective strategies in facilitating minority community economic development in the absence of federally mandated goals. In largely minority communities, the effectiveness of government procurement policies on long term community economic development will be enhanced if women and minority-owned firms are incorporated into government vendor pools. Historically, minority business firms were uninvolved in the contracting and procurement activities of government agencies and authorities. The chapter discusses the research conducted through the Center of Urban Studies as an example of a possible strategy for increasing minority economic development through an Erie County program in minority procurement. In developing its minority economic development program, the Commission was concerned with addressing the downward spiral of Buffalo's economy, loss of job, and the rise in unemployment of its minority community. The analysis of minority procurement activity in Erie County raises some interesting questions about the future progress of minority community economic development initiatives.
