Maryland minority businesses won $84.6 million in contracts and procurements from projects that were partially or fully funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration. The figure represents 14 percent of the total amount - more than $600 million - awarded to Maryland businesses under the federal economic stimulus plan, most of which went to transportation projects in the state. The percentage falls below the 25 percent threshold set by Maryland statute for distributing state-funded contracts. Luwanda W. Jenkins, special secretary for the governor's Office of Minority Affairs, said the federal government didn't set a minimum minority participation threshold for the funds it disbursed through the act, but Maryland tried to involve minority businesses as much as possible in awarding the federal funds.

- Gus G. Sentementes