2023 City of Cambridge Disparity Study
The City of Cambridge has engaged Griffin & Strong, P.C (GSPC) to conduct a Disparity Study (“Study”). The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a disparity in the relevant geographic and product markets in the percentage of MBE, WBE and VBEs and if a Sheltered Market Program under G.L. c. 30B can be implemented. GSPC will be conducting surveys, public hearings, webinars and other public engagement meetings to serve this purpose. If your firm is contacted to provide input, we thank you for your participation. You may also email us any comments or questions at CambridgeMAStudy@gspclaw.com.
ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE COLLECTION
Local Organizations
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(s) working with The City of Cambridge, contact us at CambridgeMAStudy@gspclaw.com.
Anecdotal Interviews
The Disparity Study will provide an opportunity for feedback from business owners about experiences, both positive and negative, contracting with The City of Cambridge. Anecdotal interviews are one-on-one interviews with business owners to discuss their experiences doing business with The City of Cambridge or navigating business development in the region.
This testimony can play a critical role in improving current programs. Beginning with our Informational meetings in the Spring, the Disparity Study anecdotal process will involve the completion of anecdotal interviews, public hearings and focus groups. We estimate that anecdotal interviews will begin in July 2022.
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 City of Cambridge’s marketplace in doing business both with and in The City. All firms in the marketplace are invited to take the survey which will be sent out in August 2022. 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 CambridgeMAStudy@gspclaw.com
EVENTS
Informational Meeting
To learn more about this Study, how to be involved, or to address any questions or concerns, please attend our community informational meetings in July 2022.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| Completed | Completed | View Recording |
Public Hearings
The public hearings are an opportunity for businesses and other community members to go on the record with their comments about doing business with The City of Cambridge, or its marketplace. All comments will become part of the public record and will be included in the Study analysis. The public hearings will be held in August 2022.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| Completed | Completed | View Recording |
| Completed | Completed | View Recording |
Focus Groups
GSPC invites a small group of diverse firms to provide their view of doing business with The City of Cambridge, attempting to do business with The City, or explaining why they have not attempted to do business with The City, in a discussion setting. Firms are chosen at random from each ethnicity and gender group of the Study.
Social Media
For information about scheduled events and Study updates, feel free to follow Griffin & Strong, P.C. on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. You may also provide commentary regarding the Study via social media, regardless of whether you are selected for a random interview. If you wish to provide a comment regarding your experiences, whether positive or negative, in doing business in or with The City of Cambridge, please reach us on social media.
