2021 Charles County Disparity Study
Charles County has engaged Griffin & Strong, P.C (GSPC) to conduct a Disparity Study (“Study”) to evaluate the existence of discrimination in County contracting. The Study will also have an independent assessment of current and proposed minority and women owned business enterprise programs, policies, and procedures. Over the course of this Study, there will be several ways the local business community can be involved.
Beginning with our Informational meeting, the Disparity Study anecdotal process will involve the completion of anecdotal interviews, public hearings and focus groups. You may also email any comments or questions to CharlesCountyStudy@GSPCLaw.com.
EVENTS
Virtual Public Informational Meeting
Griffin & Strong, P.C. will kick off the study by hosting a Virtual Public Information Meeting on September 17, 2020. This online session will provide the community with the opportunity to ask questions, to learn about the study’s process, and to discuss how they can participate.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
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Thursday, September 17, 2020 |
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Register Here |
Public Hearings
Public hearings are an opportunity for businesses and other community members to share their comments and insights about doing business with Charles County, or in the local marketplace as a whole. All comments will be recorded by a court reporter and made a part of the public record and included in the Study analysis. The public hearings will be held in early 2021.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| TBA |
Focus Groups
GSPC invites a small group of diverse firms to provide their view of doing business with the Charles County, attempting to business with the Charles County, or explaining why they have not attempted to do business with the Charles County, in a discussion setting. Firms are chosen at random from each ethnicity and gender group of the Study.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| TBA |
ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE COLLECTION
Organizational Interviews
GSPC also desires the feedback of organizations that speak for the local business community. Local business, civic, and trade organizations may be contacted to participate. If you desire to meet with GSPC to discuss your organization’s perspective or relevant experience contracting with Charles County, contact us at CharlesCountyStudy@GSPCLaw.com.
Anecdotal Interviews
The Disparity Study will also provide opportunities for feedback from business owners about their experiences, both positive and negative, in doing business with Charles County and navigating business development in the region. This testimony can play a critical role in improving current programs.
Firms may be contacted by GSPC local partner, McMillon Communications for interviews. If contacted, we encourage your honest and transparent feedback.
Survey of Business Owners
GSPC will be conducting a Survey of Business Owners to understand the experiences of firms in the Charles County’s marketplace in doing business both with and in the Charles County. All firms in the marketplace are invited to take the survey which will be available in Fall 2021. If you do not receive a survey directly, it will be posted on the website and you will be able to access it here.
Email Comments
For those who are not contacted to participate in an interview or focus group, are unavailable, or are generally uncomfortable providing public testimony, you may email us anytime with anecdotal comments or questions at CharlesCountyStudy@GSPCLaw.com.
