**St. Petersburg**: The city has announced $13.5 million in funding for certified small business enterprises in 2024. Despite a slight decrease from last year, the number of minority and woman-owned certifications has surged 41%. New initiatives aim to bolster local contractors and enhance community resilience.
St. Petersburg has allocated $13.5 million in funding to certified small business enterprises for the fiscal year 2024, as city officials express optimism regarding future opportunities for financial enhancement through innovative programmes and partnerships. This financial decision was discussed during a city council committee meeting held on February 27, where members received the annual business enterprise report.
While the funding amount represents a slight decline compared to the previous year, it is notable that the certifications for small, minority, and woman-owned enterprises have surged by an impressive 41% since the establishment of the Office of Supplier Diversity in 2023. During the last year, procurement officials awarded 15% of prime city contracts—amounting to 14 out of 93 contracts—to small businesses.
Councilmember Brandi Gabbard underscored the importance of creating educational programmes for local contractors in areas such as elevation, mitigation, and rebuilding within flood-prone regions. “If we, as the City of St. Petersburg, can become a leader in helping our contractor community understand the nuances around elevation, mitigation and rebuilding in the floodplain – that could be a game-changer for our coastal community,” she stated.
The city also announced plans to initiate its Coastal Resiliency and Environmental Training (CREST) programme, funded by a $20,000 grant from the National League of Cities. Kourey Hendryx-Bell, the supplier diversity manager, elaborated that the programme will focus on equipping local businesses engaged in construction, landscaping, and green infrastructure with relevant certifications via the Centre for Watershed Protection. This initiative will be closely associated with the city’s Office of Sustainability & Resiliency, aiming to offer hands-on training within a defined area of focus.
Hendryx-Bell pointed out that flood mitigation aspects would be emphasised within CREST, which will also be included in the city’s annual budget discussions. She mentioned Maeven Rogers, the new sustainability director, who has provided substantial insights into establishing and moving forward with this programme. “I really see a lot of opportunity here to make a difference for people,” Gabbard noted of the anticipated impacts.
The fall of 2023 saw the cancellation of Supplier Diversity Day due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, but Hendryx-Bell informed that her team plans to merge that event with Build St. Pete to create a robust two-day small business summit, set for May 13 and 14. The first day of the summit will be strictly professional with keynote speakers, demonstrations, and interactive technological seminars, while the second day will take place at Al Lang Stadium, showcasing local small and minority-owned businesses.
The number of certified minority- and women-owned businesses has increased significantly, growing from 13 in March 2024 to 40 by September of the same year. The city’s small business programmes attracted over 340 participants last year, setting a new record. Hendryx-Bell remarked, “We see a lot of repeat participants at a lot of the events,” indicating the growing engagement within the business community. Efforts are being made to reach out to individuals who might lack opportunities to attend these events.
As part of ongoing efforts to promote collaboration, the Office of Supplier Diversity will begin hosting “Meet the Primes” events to connect general contractors with subcontractors. Council Chair Copley Gerdes expressed confidence that these initiatives, along with a new programme named “Ready. Set. Bid.”—which intends to guide businesses through the procurement process—will significantly enhance the capabilities of local small businesses.
In addition to existing networking and professional development opportunities, the Office of Supplier Diversity provides two monthly Certification Labs where businesses can receive technical assistance related to the OpenGov Portal and current contract openings. To ensure more equitable distribution of contracts, procurement officials are now “unbundling” large contracts to allow for awards to multiple vendors, while also offering bid discounts to certified businesses.
New initiatives also include the introduction of a “Blueprint Series” and a printed spending forecast designed to improve transparency in procurement processes. A Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping tool is set to roll out, which will highlight SBE and MWBE-certified companies as well as active city projects featuring their participation.
The city council members unanimously approved the recommended 10% participation goal put forth by the Office of Supplier Diversity, alongside a 15% aspirational target to underscore the city’s dedication to supporting small, minority, and women-owned enterprises. New councilmember Mike Harting commented on the city’s dedication to these initiatives, acknowledging that while public safety and sanitation services are a priority, the pursuit of supporting local businesses is an essential and commendable goal.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Subscribe to Industry Updates
