METRO is committed to ensuring equal opportunity, inclusion, and nondiscrimination in all its procurement and contracting matters.

Two new METRO programs will provide equal access and opportunity for veterans and people living with disabilities who are interested in doing business with the Authority.

METRO's Office of Economic Business Opportunity, formerly known as the Office of Small Business, recently unveiled its Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (VOBE) and Disability Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) programs earlier this month. They allow METRO to identify and target businesses more effectively by implementing more inclusive practices and providing a full and fair opportunity for eligible companies to compete for procurement opportunities with the Authority.

"This is a step in the right direction to benefit many business owners in their reach," Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran noted during METRO's September Board meeting.

METRO Board Member Lex Frieden — a disability policy expert and longtime disability rights advocate — expressed his appreciation and added that expanding inclusivity efforts to support business owners was something the Authority has been working on for some time.

"I want to applaud METRO's staff for putting together a great plan for a program that will benefit our community," said Frieden.

METRO's Office of Economic Business Opportunity also operates the Small/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs with an annual goal of 35 percent small business participation.

To learn more about eligibility requirements and how to participate, visit METRO's website.