Melissa Donovan
Orange County has officially approved a new Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program aimed at increasing opportunities for local small businesses to participate in government procurement and contracting. The initiative, which received County Commission approval this week, replaces the former Minority and Women Business Enterprise program that was recently suspended to comply with federal executive orders restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements.
The SBE Program is designed to support small businesses by expanding access to county contracts for goods and services. The revised approach is race- and gender-neutral, seeking to create a more inclusive environment for small business participation while complying with federal regulations.
Community Webinars Open for Input
To ensure transparency and gather public feedback, Orange County will host a series of virtual informational webinars from July 18 through August 1, 2025. These one-hour sessions will provide small business owners and stakeholders with detailed information about the program, offer opportunities for questions, and collect input to help refine the initiative.
Webinar Details:
Dates: July 18 – August 1, 2025
Format: Virtual (via webinar)
Duration: 1 hour per session
Availability: 21 different sessions scheduled across a variety of times to accommodate busy schedules
Registration & Access: Dates, times, and access links are available on Orange County’s official Small Business Enterprise Program webpage.
Each session will cover the same material, and participants are encouraged to attend just one. The webinars are open to the public, particularly local small business owners interested in doing business with the county.
Background and Next Steps
Earlier this month, Orange County commissioners voted to suspend the long-standing Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program, which had been in place for decades. That decision followed legal guidance related to recent federal executive orders impacting DEI programs.
In response, county officials developed the new SBE Program to maintain support for small businesses while ensuring compliance with federal law. According to the ordinance, the goal is to encourage “full and equitable participation of small businesses” in public contracting.
Community feedback gathered during the webinar sessions will help shape the final implementation of the program.
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