Tridentis, whose proprietor is white, filed a lawsuit in opposition to town, alleging that Alexandria’s Black, Indigenous and Individuals of Colour Small Enterprise Grant Program is “blatantly unlawful.”
A program geared toward serving to minority-owned small companies has been delayed following a lawsuit in opposition to the Metropolis of Alexandria in Virginia.
First reported by ALXnow, town mentioned on Monday that it’s at the moment reviewing the small print of a lawsuit difficult the BIPOC Small Enterprise Grant Program, which is an “initiative that goals to retain and develop present companies, recruit new companies and/or help with startup actions.”
“Whereas many companies have struggled and are nonetheless recovering within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, these hardships are notably felt by Black, Indigenous and other people of colour (BIPOC) owned companies on account of structural limitations and discriminatory monetary lending practices,” the City of Alexandria’s website said.
The lawsuit was introduced by Tridentis LLC, an Alexandria-based engineering, logistics and program management firm.
At this time, the Metropolis was served with a lawsuit difficult the BIPOC Small Enterprise Grant Program. We’re suspending the launch whereas we evaluation the lawsuit. Regardless of this delay, the Metropolis stays dedicated to supporting our minority small enterprise neighborhood and selling fairness for all.
— AlexandriaVAGov (@AlexandriaVAGov) January 24, 2023
The plaintiffs allege that to be eligible for this system, a enterprise should “exhibit that its homeowners are at the least 51% black, Indigenous, or folks of colour. These BIPOC homeowners should come from considered one of 4 teams — Black or African American, Asian, Hispanic American, or Indigenous or Native American. In different phrases, no whites allowed,” according to court documents, including that this system is “blatantly unlawful.”
Below this system, which had been set to open on Jan. 26, qualifying companies might obtain as much as $7,000. Small companies had till Feb. 10, with winners introduced in March 2023 and funds distributed in April.
The lawsuit, filed on Sunday, mentioned that Tridentis satisfies all of the “nonracial necessities” for this system, however can be ineligible to obtain funds due to its proprietor’s race; the proprietor is white.
The corporate is asking the courtroom to declare that this system violates the 14th Modification, the equal safety clause that requires folks in related circumstances to be handled the identical below the legislation.
Tridentis additionally requested for a brief restraining order — which it withdrew on Tuesday following town’s postponement of this system — and a preliminary injunction that bars the Metropolis of Alexandria from opening the applying interval, choosing candidates and implementing the standards of this system.
“As we consider the lawsuit, the Program might be placed on maintain. Nevertheless, we need to reiterate the Metropolis is dedicated to serving all Alexandrians; we additionally stay centered on our duty to search out equitable options that handle the wants of our various small enterprise neighborhood,” town mentioned.
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