2024 Cobb County Disparity Study
Cobb County has engaged Griffin & Strong, P.C (GSPC) to conduct a Disparity Study (“Study”). The Study shall analyze contractual awards in construction, goods, services, and architectural and engineering services for the last five (5) year period to determine the effectiveness of the current supplier diversity program and recommend modifications and adjustments, if necessary, that are in compliance with the law. Additionally, the analysis shall determine the utilization of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) relative to the availability of such business. The County also desires a review of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVSBs) within this same context.
You may email us any comments or questions at CobbCountyStudy@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 Cobb County, contact us at CobbCountyStudy@gspclaw.com.
Anecdotal Interviews
The Disparity Study will provide an opportunity for feedback from business owners about experiences, both positive and negative, contracting with Cobb County. Anecdotal interviews are one-on-one interviews with business owners to discuss their experiences doing business with the County 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 communication sessions and focus groups. We estimate that anecdotal interviews will begin in Fall of 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 County’s marketplace in doing business both with and in the County. All firms in the marketplace are invited to take the survey which will be sent out in December 2023. 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 CobbCountyStudy@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 9th, 2023 | 12:00PM ET | View Recording |
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Public Communication Sessions
The public communication sessions are an opportunity for businesses and other community members to go on the record with their comments about doing business with the County, or its marketplace. All comments will become part of the public record and will be included in the Study analysis.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| January 9th, 2024 | 6:00 pm ET (Conducted in English) | View Recording |
| January 10th, 2024 | 12:30 pm ET (Conducted in English) | View Recording |
| January 18th, 2024 | 6:00 pm ET (Conducted in Spanish) | Completed |
Focus Groups
GSPC invites a small group of diverse firms to provide their view of doing business with the County, attempting to do business with the County, or explaining why they have not attempted to do business with the County, in a discussion setting. Firms are chosen at random from each ethnicity and gender group of the Study.
Focus Groups are by invitation only.
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 County, please reach us on social media.
For information about Cobb County, check out their social media: Facebook @CobbCountyGovt, Instagram @CobbCountyGovt, Twitter @CobbCountyGov, Youtube – CobbTV, LinkedIn.
