The Downtown Development District has once again exceeded its goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation in DDD contracts for the first quarter of 2020. During 2020 Q1, more than 43% of spending on services like landscaping, sidewalk cleaning and tree trimming were paid to DBE contractors. This number is consistent with the record-breaking 47% awarded in 2019 and far above the 30% goal set by the DDD board over the last several years.
“Numbers like this are achieved because of the commitment of our team to a diverse supplier base,” said DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle. “In the wake of the killing of Mr. George Floyd and the renewed focus on racial equity, I am proud to say that our team has been and continues to be committed to racial & economic justice in every decision we make. Fairness today and correcting the wrongs of the past is a process that takes commitment and care.”
Anthony Carter, the DDD’s Director of Finance & Administration, added, “With the DDD’s consistent outpacing of its DBE goal over the last 18 months, it is time to set our goals higher. The management team will request that the Board of Commissioners increase the goal going forward.”