2024 Town of Carrboro Disparity Study
The Town of Carrboro, NC has commissioned Griffin & Strong, P.C (GSPC) to conduct a Disparity Study (“Study”). The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the current MWBE program and recommend modifications and adjustment, if necessary, that are in compliance with law. 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 CarrboroStudy@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 Town of Carrboro, contact us at CarrboroStudy@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 Town. Anecdotal interviews are one-on-one interviews with business owners to discuss their experiences doing business with the Town of Carrboro 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 Fall, the Disparity Study anecdotal process will involve the completion of anecdotal interviews, public input sessions and focus groups. We estimate that anecdotal interviews will begin in November 2023.
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 Town’s marketplace in doing business both with and in the Town of Carrboro. All firms in the marketplace are invited to take the survey which will be sent out in January 2024. 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 CarrboroStudy@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 meeting in November 2023.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| November 2nd, 2023 | 12:00PM – 1:00PM EST | View Recording |
Public Input Sessions
The public input sessions are an opportunity for businesses and other community members to go on the record with their comments about doing business with the Town of Carrboro, 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 February 2024.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| March 5, 2024 | 5:00PM – 6:00PM EST | Completed |
| March 7, 2024 | 1:00PM – 2:00PM EST | View Recording |
| April 10, 2024 | 6:00PM – 7:00PM EST |
Register Here |
Focus Groups
GSPC invites a small group of diverse firms to provide their view of doing business with the Town of Carrboro, attempting to do business with the Town, or explaining why they have not attempted to do business with the Town, in a discussion setting. Firms are chosen at random from each ethnicity and gender group of the Study. The focus groups will be held in March 2024.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| TBA |
Social Media
For information about scheduled events and Study updates, feel free to follow Griffin & Strong, P.C. on Facebook, 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 Town of Carrboro, please reach us on social media.
