Charleston Construction Supplier Faces Challenges Amid Push for Equity

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Vicki Volponi, the owner of a construction supply company near Charleston, South Carolina, was on track to book nearly $10 million in sales for the second year in a row. However, new regulations aimed at 'leveling the playing field' for minority- and women-owned businesses have created challenges for Volponi's company, potentially threatening its continued growth.

Why it matters

As cities and states across the U.S. implement policies to increase contracting opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses, some established minority-owned companies like Volponi's are finding that the new rules create unexpected hurdles. This story highlights the unintended consequences that well-intentioned equity initiatives can have on existing minority-owned enterprises.

The details

Volponi's company, which specializes in construction supplies, had been thriving in recent years. But new regulations in South Carolina require that a certain percentage of government contracts go to minority- and women-owned businesses. While this policy is meant to level the playing field, Volponi says it has led to an influx of new, less-experienced competitors vying for the same limited pool of set-aside contracts. This has made it harder for her established business to win bids, threatening its continued growth.

• Volponi's company was on track to book nearly $10 million in sales in 2025.
• New regulations requiring a percentage of government contracts to go to minority- and women-owned businesses were implemented in South Carolina in 2025.

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