St. Louis resumes new minority- and women-owned contracts after legal review

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer signed an executive order Friday to resume a citywide program that allows new city construction contracts under the city's minority- and women-owned business goals.

The city had paused the program last month over federal funding concerns, specifically that continuing the program could jeopardize federal disaster funds for recovery from the May 16 tornado, due to shifting federal guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion.

A consulting firm reviewed the city policies, and the mayor says the program is now on solid legal ground, despite pushback from the White House on DEI.

"I feel very confident this is on sound legal ground," said Spencer during a Friday news conference. "This is not only sound legally, but rooted in a path to addressing the clear disparities that were outlined in the 2024 disparities study. We'll move our city and region forward in very meaningful ways for not only for our minority-business contract community, but our city as a whole."

By reactivating the program, minority- and women-owned businesses can now be granted new contracts for construction permits with the city.