Prince George’s County officials are moving forward with a community‑benefits agreement that could shape who profits from the state’s second Sphere entertainment venue. At a recent Community Conversation in Largo, County Executive Aisha Braveboy told local business owners that the goal is to ensure “everybody will win” in the deal.
Local‑business quotas at the heart of negotiations
Braveboy announced that the county is asking developers to set a minimum of 50% of contracts for county‑based small businesses and 40% for county‑based minority‑owned enterprises. She said the Sphere owners did not resist the request, describing the partnership as “not a hard sell” because the company wants to become part of the community.
Potential impact for Black‑owned contractors
Omar Kareem, representing Bannaker Ventures – a large, Black‑owned general contractor headquartered in Prince George’s – called the proposal a “game changer” for his firm, noting the ability to hire dozens of project managers and on‑site superintendents.
Resident hiring requirements
In addition to business‑ownership goals, the agreement would require that 50% of the workers on the project be Prince George’s residents. The county plans to hire a compliance manager to oversee the contracts and ensure labor obligations are met.
Union vs. non‑union concerns
Some small‑business owners expressed worry that excluding union labor could put them at a disadvantage. Bright Horizon Ventures owner Carri Robinson said being able to bid without union affiliation would be “a much better situation” for her company. Braveboy responded that the project will include both union and non‑union contractors and that there will be no Project Labor Agreement (PLA) forcing competition between the two groups.
Streamlined procurement process
The county’s Department of Procurement is also simplifying the registration process for companies that wish to bid on the Sphere contracts, aiming to make it easier for local firms to compete.
Overall, the negotiations reflect Prince George’s County’s broader effort to keep major development projects rooted in the local economy, providing opportunities for small and minority‑owned businesses while also creating jobs for residents.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
