a. Historically, businesses owned by minorities and women have been small establishments offering products and services and their participation in the nation’s business community has been disproportionate to their numbers in society as a whole.

b. The opportunity for full participation in our free enterprise system by minorities and women is essential if social and economic justice for them is to be attained, and the functioning of our economy improved.

c. The role of government at the national, State and local levels in encouraging the development of businesses owned by minorities and women has been recognized and is developing at a rapid pace, with technical and financial assistance, contract procurement, contract set-asides and other programs designed to encourage development.

d. As a result, each year entrepreneurs in New Jersey spend an average of $5,000.00 to demonstrate that they qualify for these programs designed to foster the growth and development of their businesses, so that the public agencies administering the programs can be certain that the businesses which benefit are bona fide minority or women’s businesses.

e. A unified procedure for the certification of businesses owned by minorities and women, administered by the State, for the purpose of certifying the eligibility of the businesses for various State programs will eliminate duplication of effort and improve efficiency, thereby increasing productivity and reducing costs in the public and the private sectors.

L. 1986, c. 195, s. 1, eff. Dec. 23, 1986.