"A New Day" of Collaboration Between Dauphin County and City of Harrisburg as Commissioners Announce Disparity Study Funding

Disparity Student Wanda BOC


Dauphin County Commissioners announce a funding partnership with City of Harrisburg to launch a disparity study aimed at presenting more work opportunities for diverse business vendors and contractors in the city.

Dauphin County Commissioners are partnering with city leaders to fund the project, providing a one-third share of the study costs to IMPACT HARRISBURG, a city-based non-profit that will steer the contract and study.

Harrisburg city, Dauphin County, and IMPACT HARRISURG will each pay a one-third share of $83,333 to Econsult Solutions, LLC to perform the study at a total cost of $250,000.

“We welcome Mayor Williams and her administration and look forward to a new day of partner projects and initiatives that will help the residents and business owners we serve,” Dauphin County Commissioner Chairman Mike Pries said.

Mayor Williams also emphasized the benefits of partnership on worthwhile projects.

“Partnering is going to be a cornerstone to how we operate a different City Hall in Harrisburg,” Mayor Williams said.

Dauphin County recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to fund the study.

The study work is expected to begin this year.

“This worthwhile project fortifies our commitment to doing what it takes to accommodate hard-working entrepreneurs,” County Commissioner Chad Saylor said.

County Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III, who oversees Dauphin County Human Services, said: “The board intends on using already-existing relationships with Mayor Williams and her team to address areas of need for underserved populations.”

The study will focus on minority-owned businesses and businesses owned by women, veterans, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer (LGBTQ), and people with disabilities.

“Access to opportunities in regard to resources is huge” for business owners, said Karl Singleton, chief equity and compliance officer and a board member of IMPACT HARRISBURG.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett Hambright, Press Secretary, 717-780-6311; bhambright@dauphinc.org.