Audit finds gaps in diversifying state hiring, contracting

Kyam Richards plates dinner at Kenwood Isles.
Jackie Williams, left, watches server Kyam Richards plate sweet corn, baked potato and tilapia before serving residents of Kenwood Isles Condos in Minneapolis June 6, 2016. Though her business is certified with the state, she has received few government work contracts.
Evan Frost | MPR News 2016

A new audit shows there's more work to be done to diversify Minnesota's hiring, purchasing and contracting practices.

The audit found the state historically has had strong policies to promote equal opportunities for minorities and other targeted groups. But underfunding, inadequate staffing and insufficient data are impeding those efforts.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports in 2015, about 3 percent of the roughly $2 billion the state awarded in contracts went to businesses owned by someone from a targeted group. The majority of that 3 percent went to businesses owned by women, leaving the rest to business owners of color.

The audit was proposed by state and local chapters of the NAACP and backed last year by Gov. Mark Dayton.

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