The World Cup Is Here. America250 Is Next. Who Will Benefit?
- Bernard Johnson
- May 26
- 3 min read
Updated: May 29
Next month, the FIFA World Cup arrives in the United States, bringing millions of visitors, global visibility, and billions in economic activity to host cities and surrounding regions. Shortly after, communities across the country will begin activating programming tied to America250, the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration in July.
Together, these events represent one of the largest economic opportunities many communities will experience in a generation.
For minority-owned small businesses, this should be a moment of growth, visibility, and long-term opportunity. But history shows that economic opportunity does not automatically create equitable access.
Across the country, minority-owned firms continue to face major barriers in procurement systems despite decades of supplier diversity commitments and inclusive economic development initiatives.
The disparities remain significant:
Minority- and women-owned businesses received only about 5% of New York City’s $46 billion procurement spending in FY2025 despite representing a much larger share of the business community.
Studies continue to show that most federal contracting dollars still flow to firms that have historically dominated procurement systems.
Black-owned businesses have historically received a disproportionately small share of federal procurement spending despite national supplier diversity goals.
Minority-owned firms are also more likely to face limited access to capital, along with challenges around bonding and insurance, certification barriers, smaller professional networks, and reduced access to procurement pipelines and key decision-makers.
These disparities are not simply administrative challenges. They shape who builds wealth, who scale businesses, and who participate in transformative economic moments.
That matters because events like the World Cup and America250 reward businesses that are positioned early.
Opportunities connected to these events span hospitality and tourism, transportation and logistics, staffing and operations, food and beverage, marketing and creative services, cultural programming, construction and infrastructure improvements, and neighborhood activation.
The challenge is that many procurement relationships are formed long before the public sees the event itself.
For minority-owned businesses, readiness today matters more than visibility tomorrow.
Preparation means more than certification. It includes:
strengthening operational capacity,
building relationships with prime contractors and anchor institutions,
improving financial readiness,
understanding procurement timelines,
and positioning before opportunities are publicly released.
The larger goal is not simply participation during a tournament or celebration. It is long-term economic mobility.
A business that gains access through World Cup or America250 procurement may later compete for infrastructure projects, tourism partnerships, institutional procurement, and future public-private developments.
At Fourth Economy, we believe inclusive economic development requires intentional systems that expand access to opportunity. The communities that benefit most from these historic moments will be the ones that ensure local and minority-owned businesses are not just present but positioned to grow long after the celebrations end.
