Redwood City – To open doors for local businesses, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to give preference to San Mateo County-based businesses in certain competitive bids.

“This is a huge realization of our county’s values and an investment in the future of more thriving local businesses in this county. I’m excited to see the positive impacts this will have in our community now and in the decades to come,” said Supervisor Noelia Corzo, who co-sponsored the measure with Board President Warren Slocum.

The ordinance creates more opportunities by providing a formula that gives local businesses an advantage when bidding on contracts for goods or services.

Local preference works like this: When a San Mateo County-based firm submits a bid for goods or services solicitations, that bid is considered as if it were 5 percent cheaper (and that much more attractive) than those submitted by nonlocal competitors.

An additional 3 percent preference (for a total of 8 percent) would be given if the bidder is a local small business. Bidders that are local and certified as a “micro business” would receive a 5 percent preference (for a total of 10 percent).

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