OBO Named Houston MBDA's 2020 Community Partner of the Year

GROUP EFFORT: OBO Director Marsha E. Murray credits the entire OBO team — including from left, Tifney Scott, Donald Black, LaQuinta Burton and Tamara Luera — for the 2020 Houston MBDA Community Partner of the Year Award.

By: Pearl K. Cajoles

The Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) was named Community Partner of the Year during the 6th Annual Salute to Minorities in Construction, presented by the Houston Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center. OBO Director Marsha E. Murray accepted the award on behalf of her team, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston during the virtual event on Nov. 10, 2020.

Operated by Houston Community College and funded in part by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Houston MBDA aims to foster the growth and global competitiveness of minorityowned business enterprises (MBEs). Since 2013, MBDA and OBO have partnered in several initiatives to provide workshops, webinars, training and other events to the business community, including OBO’s capacity building and mentorship programs tailored to assist those in the construction industry to grow their business and increase their subcontracting opportunities.

“The Office of Business Opportunity and the City of Houston have always been intentional in creating opportunities in the construction industry,” Murray said.

“The City spends millions and at times billions in construction projects, and we want to make sure that minorities also get a piece of that pie. In fact, the City spent more than $280 million with MBEs in the construction arena during the last fiscal year.”

Including those in the construction industry, there are more than 4,259 small businesses in OBO’s certified firm directory. By successfully completing the City of Houston’s certification process, facilitated by OBO, these businesses are better poised to take advantage of contracting opportunities in and outside of the City. The impact of OBO, however, goes beyond certification. With a mission of cultivating a competitive and diverse economic environment in Houston, and with a focus on growing small business and workforce development, the department touches the community in a myriad of ways.

We will continue to make a difference in 2021 and beyond.

As Murray leads her team toward the new year, she is looking forward to expanding and extending the reach of OBO’s free programs and finding innovative ways to reach the small business community in an economic landscape impacted by the pandemic.

OBO’s Contract Compliance division monitors more than $8 billion in City contracts and ensures fair wages, the Certification division has improved processing time for applications, and the External Affairs division has increased participation in its business development and workforce development initiatives. Since March, OBO’s online COVID-19 Resource Hub has received more than 4,291 visitors.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of working at OBO is having the opportunity to make an impact in our local economy, to assist in job creation, and to help improve financial stability of the City’s small business owners,” Murray said.

It is through the collective effort of everyone on the OBO team – and through the support of partners like MBDA – that we will continue to make a difference in 2021 and beyond.”

To watch the 6th Annual Salute to Minorities in Construction, go to youtu. be/HXoU3wa5_9M. To learn more about the Office of Business Opportunity, go to houstontx.gov/obo.

COMMITTED TO SERVE: OBO continued its services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Management and staff who reported to the office followed recommended procedures for masking up and social distancing.

IMPACT OF OBO

$1.89 Billion+ awarded to minority, women, and small business enterprises since FY 2017.

3,065 jobseekers participated in 16 Turnaround Houston Readiness and Disaster Recovery Hiring Fairs since 2016.

4,291 approx. number of visitors to the online COVID-19 Resource Hub.

62% increase in the number of graduates of Turner School of Construction Management in 2020.

$240,000 in start-up capital awarded to emerging entrepreneurs in the LiftOff Houston Start- Up Business Plan Competition.

$8 Billion in contracts monitored by OBO’s Contract Compliance Division.

4,259 certified firms poised to take advantage of contracting opportunities in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

OBO DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE

Certification

Contract Compliance

Department Services

External Affairs

Pay or Play Program

OBO Solutions Center

OBO-Houston Airport System