Environmental resiliency training could propel local contractors

St. Petersburg awarded $13.5 million to certified small business enterprises in fiscal year 2024, an amount city officials believe they can increase through new programs and partnerships.

City council members heard a mostly positive annual business enterprise report at a Feb. 27 committee meeting. While the amount awarded represents a slight year-over-year decrease, small, minority and woman-owned enterprise certifications have soared by 41% since the Office of Supplier Diversity launched in 2023.

Procurement officials awarded 14 of 93 prime city contracts – 15% – to small businesses last year. A new Green Infrastructure Program will provide additional, hands-on training in a city focus area for the foreseeable future.

“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,” said Councilmember Brandi Gabbard. “That’s what I see jumping off the page – nothing but opportunity to achieve those goals.”

St. Petersburg will launch its Coastal Resiliency and Environmental Training (CREST) program through a $20,000 National League of Cities grant. Kourey Hendryx-Bell, supplier diversity manager, said local construction, landscaping and green infrastructure businesses could receive certifications through the Center for Watershed Protection.

She said a burgeoning partnership with the city’s Office of Sustainability & Resiliency will provide additional, hands-on training. Subsequent program phases will feature workforce development initiatives and certifications for small (SBE), minority and woman-owned business enterprises (MWBE) in service-related industries.

Gabbard noted that “very few contractors” are “actually skilled” at elevating homes. She also stressed the importance of collaborating with other municipal departments as the city embarks on over $1.5 billion in stormwater projects over the next five years.

Hendryx-Bell said flood mitigation is a focal point of CREST, which administrators will now include in the annual budget. Maeven Rogers, the city’s new sustainability director, has offered “a lot of insight” and is equally excited to establish the program.

“I really see a lot of opportunity here to make a difference for people,” Gabbard said.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton forced the city to cancel Supplier Diversity Day last fall. Hendryx-Bell said her team will combine that event and Build St. Pete into a two-day small business summit. The expanded event is May 13 and 14.

Hendryx-Bell said the first day is “strictly professional,” with several speakers, demonstrators and interactive technology seminars.

Al Lang Stadium will host the second day of the summit. Hendryx-Bell said it would provide a unique showcase for local SBEs and MWBEs.

The number of city-certified MWBEs soared from 13 in March 2024 to 40 in September. Over 340 small businesses participated in the combined programs last year, a new record.

“We see a lot of repeat participants at a lot of the events,” said Hendryx-Bell. “So, we are looking into ways we can reach … people who may not have the opportunity to go to events or may not have the opportunity to even know about our office.”

The Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) will soon begin hosting “Meet the Primes” events to foster collaboration between general and subcontractors. Council Chair Copley Gerdes said that initiative and “Ready. Set. Bid.” – a new program that offers procurement process guidance – will help local small businesses “go from good to great.”

The OSD already provides myriad networking and professional development opportunities and two monthly Certification Labs. Participating businesses can also receive technical assistance related to the OpenGov Portal and relevant city contract openings.

Procurement officials now “unbundle” extensive contracts to award multiple vendors rather than one. Hendryx-Bell said the OSD also offers bid discounts to certified businesses.

Additional new programs include a “Blueprint Series” and printed spending forecast to increase procurement transparency. A Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping tool will showcase SBE and MWBE-certified companies and city projects with participation.

City council members unanimously approved the OSD’s recommended 10% participation goal. The department also has a 15% aspirational target to reflect the city’s commitment to supporting small, minority and women-owned businesses.

Councilmember Mike Harting noted he is “new to this job” but understood the city must provide public safety and sanitation services. “We don’t have to do this,” he said.

“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,” Harting added. “So, congratulations on your success.”

For more information on the Office of Supplier Diversity, visit the website here.