GOVERNOR GRAY DAVIS' DAILY DIGEST

May 8, 2003

GOVERNOR GRAY DAVIS' DAILY DIGEST

Davis announces record success in state's outreach efforts to small businesses.

Governor Gray Davis today announced that California's small businesses are getting a larger share of contracts from state agencies than ever before. In Fiscal Year 2001-2002, state agencies awarded almost $1.67 billion in contracts to certified small businesses and $442.3 million to certified microbusinesses for an overall total award of $2.1 billion. This represents more than 30% of the almost $7 billion awarded to all contractors, up from 16.5 percent in FY 2000-2001.

"Small business is the engine of the California economy," Gov. Davis said." I am pleased that state agencies have enabled small businesses to compete on a level playing field for contracts."

Small businesses comprise nearly 98 percent of all businesses in the state, employ more than 50 percent of California's workforce, and generate more than half of the state's gross domestic product.

In May 2001, Governor Davis issued Executive Order D-37-01, which requires state agencies to pursue an annual 25 percent small business participation in state contracting. By streamlining the state's small business certification process, increasing the pool of certified small businesses, and designating Small Business Advocates within state departments, the state has made it easier for small businesses to receive state contracts. More than 12,800 small businesses are now certified to do business with the state, up from about 5,000 in 1999. (Release 5/8/03)

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