Mayor Walsh Announces New Workshops to Support Minority Contracting

Published on August 20, 2025

The Division of Equity Compliance and Social Impact will host a series of events focused on expanding access to City contracting opportunities for local minority owned businesses

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the Division of Equity Compliance and Social Impact will host “Let’s Do Business”, a new workshop series focused on expanding access to City contracting opportunities for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs).

“The Let’s Do Business series is an opportunity for local business owners and entrepreneurs to connect with City staff and a talented pool of professionals committed to inclusive economic development,” said Mayor Walsh. “This series is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to promote diversity, fairness, and opportunity in public procurement, and highlights our commitment to ensuring doing business with the city is more accessible.”

The series includes hands-on sessions designed to help historically marginalized businesses grow and succeed. Participants will receive support with MWBE and SDVOB certification, learn how to leverage their certification in City contracting, gain practical guidance on doing business with the City of Syracuse, and exchange best practices with other vendors. Each session will include vendor networking to help build professional connections and explore new partnerships.

The Let’s Do Business MWBE / SDVOB Support Series schedule includes:

  • After-Hours Certification Lounge on September 4, 2025
  • Holiday Vendor Huddle and 2026 Kickoff on November 6, 2025
  • Contracting & Coffee Small Vendor Roundtable on January 8, 2026

All workshops in this series will be held in the Garden Level Conference Room at One Park Place, 300 South State Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. For more information and event details, visit syr.gov/lets-do-business. To reserve your spot to attend, visit goto.syr.gov/mwbe-series or email mwbe@syr.gov.