The state House Select Committee on Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Inclusion issued a report that makes recommendations aimed at helping minority business enterprises (MBEs), women's business enterprises (WBEs) and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) get state contracts.

The report, issued last week, includes the following recommendations to state agencies, boards and commissions:

• State agencies should reserve 10 percent of their procurement and contracting money for small businesses with 250 or fewer employees, including, but not limited to, MBEs, WBEs and DBEs.
• State agencies, boards and commissions should target giving 25 percent of procurement and construction dollars to MBEs, WBEs and DBEs.
• Require prime contactors doing business with the state to pay subcontractors within five days.
• Create more uniformity and consistency in the state certification of MBEs, WBEs and DBEs by making the sate Department of General Services accept certification from the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program and have local governments and school districts accept such certifications.

The committee will work with the House and Senate to implement the recommendations, according to state Rep. Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny County). Wheatley chairs the select committee.

Work began today on Logos Academy's new school building in downtown York that will consolidate all students under one roof.

The $8 million project will include construction of a 42,000-square-foot building, said Abigail Baer, capital campaign coordinator for Logos.

The new facility at 250 W. King St. is being funded through the proceeds of a capital campaign being implemented by Logos. Construction is expected to be completed in August 2010.

Wagman Construction Inc., which has its offices in York, is the primary contractor for the project.

Logos Academy is a Christian school that works to provide an intercultural, family-like atmosphere for the education of low- to upper-income students, with the overarching goal of breaking the generational cycle of poverty and nurturing strong community leaders. The school has two locations along Market Street in York.
•
Note: This article was updated to clarify information provided about the total size and cost of the project.

The Downtown Carlisle Association has raised more than $3,500, or nearly a third of its goal, in the group's first Friends Campaign to raise money for events, marketing and operations.

The campaign could reach its $12,000 goal by the end of October, said Glenn White, the association's Main Street manager.

The group sent letters to about 700 downtown businesses and residents two weeks ago, he said.

The association hired White on June 16. In the months since, he's started remaking the association, including goals of greater communication with businesses, new events, more services and marketing initiatives to drive traffic to downtown Carlisle.

Metro Bancorp Inc. of Swatara Township, Dauphin County, today said it would sell about $75 million of its common stock in a public offering. The company said it would use the proceeds of the stock offering for general corporate purposes.

Metro Bancorp is the parent company of Metro Bank, previously known as Commerce Bank/Harrisburg. The company has not announced start or end dates for the offering.

Metro is awaiting regulatory approval to acquire Republic First Bancorp Inc. of Philadelphia in an all-stock deal that was valued at $114 million when it was announced in November.

Metro in August filed a document with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission indicating it could raise up to $250 million through a combination of securities including stock and debt.

Metro shares were down about 6.5 percent on the Nasdaq shortly after 10:40 this morning, to $14.62. The stock is traded under the ticker symbol METR.

BUSINESS: Dell agrees to buy Perot Systems for about $3.9B
Click here to read the full story.

U.S.: Colo. terror plot suspect due in federal court
Click here to read the full story.

WORLD: Ahmadinejad proud of Holocaust denial
Click here to read the full story.

OUT OF THE ORDINARY: Man accused of sword attack after finding soda can in room
Click here to read the full story.

Should the city of Harrisburg declare bankruptcy? Why or why not?

Click here for Yes.
Click here for No.

Comments may be published. If you wish to comment, please include your name and the county where you live. The deadline to respond is 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Your vote only will be counted once.

Results will be published in the Friday, Sept. 25, edition of the Business Journal.