Black Caucus pushes for more minority contracts

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus says state government needs to make a stronger effort to buy more goods and services from businesses owned by minorities and women.

The state agency that pushes for job creation, Mississippi Development Authority, is required by law to track the amount of state procurement awarded to minority businesses. During the budget year that ended in June 2013, the state had $2.1 billion of procurement. Only $49 million, or 2.3 percent, went to minority-owned businesses.