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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.

Minn. minority firms call program meant to help them maddening, broken

 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.

Business and Economic News

The Associated Press

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The audit found Minnesota 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.

Kyam Richards plates dinner at Kenwood Isles. 

Audit finds gaps in diversifying state hiring, contracting

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