Minority Construction Contractors Lose Ground at Orange County

ORLANDO-Afraid of being sued for showing pro-minority bias, Orange County elected officials no longer will offer special treatment to small business owners bidding on construction, engineering or architectural contracts valued at under $100,000.

The commissioners Jan. 8 vote means about 20% of metro Orlando subcontractors vying for new work will now have to compete on the same terms as non-minority colleagues.

Orange County puts out an average $500 million in annual contract bids. About $100 million goes to minority subcontractors, according to the county’s Business Development Division.