In fiscal year 2024, the City of St. Petersburg allocated $13.5 million to certified small business enterprises (SBEs). City officials are optimistic that this number will grow thanks to new programs and partnerships.

During a Feb. 27 committee meeting, city council members received an encouraging annual business enterprise report. Although there was a slight year-over-year decrease in awards, the number of certified small, minority, and woman-owned enterprises surged by 41% since the establishment of the Office of Supplier Diversity in 2023.

Last year, procurement officials awarded 15% of 93 prime city contracts to small businesses. To build on this progress, the city is launching a Green Infrastructure Program designed to provide practical, hands-on training in key areas.

Councilmember Brandi Gabbard highlighted the potential impact of such initiatives, saying, “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.”

One such initiative is the Coastal Resiliency and Environmental Training (CREST) program, which will be funded by a $20,000 National League of Cities grant. According to Kourey Hendryx-Bell, the supplier diversity manager, local businesses specializing in construction, landscaping, and green infrastructure may earn certifications through the Center for Watershed Protection.

Partnerships with the city’s Office of Sustainability & Resiliency will enhance this training with hands-on opportunities. Future phases of CREST will also focus on workforce development and certifications for SBEs, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses in service-oriented industries.

Gabbard acknowledged the shortage of contractors skilled in elevating homes and stressed the importance of interdepartmental collaboration as the city embarks on $1.5 billion in stormwater projects over the next five years. Hendryx-Bell emphasized flood mitigation as a key element of CREST and confirmed it will be incorporated into the city’s annual budget.

Maeven Rogers, the city’s sustainability director, expressed enthusiasm for the program, noting its potential to make a significant impact on the community.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton disrupted the city’s Supplier Diversity Day last fall, but plans are in place to merge that event with Build St. Pete for a two-day summit on May 13-14. The event will feature speakers, demonstrators, and interactive technology sessions on the first day, with a showcase of local SBEs and MWBEs at Al Lang Stadium on the second day.

In 2024, city-certified MWBEs grew from 13 in March to 40 by September, while over 340 small businesses participated in the city’s programs—a new record. Hendryx-Bell expressed a desire to reach underserved businesses, acknowledging that some may lack awareness of these opportunities.

The Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) plans to launch “Meet the Primes” events to foster connections between general and subcontractors. Additionally, a new program called “Ready. Set. Bid.” will provide guidance on procurement processes, helping small businesses enhance their competitiveness.

OSD continues to support local businesses through networking events, professional development opportunities, and two monthly Certification Labs. Certified businesses also benefit from technical assistance, bid discounts, and access to unbundled contracts, allowing multiple vendors to win awards.

New efforts include a “Blueprint Series,” a spending forecast to increase procurement transparency, and a Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping tool to showcase certified companies and their involvement in city projects. The city council has unanimously approved a 10% participation goal and set a 15% aspirational target to underscore its commitment to supporting small, minority, and women-owned businesses.

Councilmember Mike Harting commended the OSD’s success, stating, “We don’t have to do this. And not only are we doing it, but it seems like we haven’t been doing it that long, and we’re pretty damn good at it now.”

For more details about the Office of Supplier Diversity, visit their website here: https://www.stpete.org/business/procurement/supplier_diversity.php

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(Image credit: Environmental Science Associates)

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