St. Paul's efforts to contract disadvantaged firms has mixed results, but excel compared to the state

As an equalizing measure, the municipality sets targets for the percentage of city contracting dollars to award small, women-owned; small, ethnic minority-owned; and Section 3 businesses — businesses owned by residents of low-income areas as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. From 2010 to 2020, the city missed its target for women-owned businesses four times, for ethnic minorities once, and for Section 3 businesses once.