Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knoxville's Purchasing Department recognized several businesses for their commitments to diversity.
Thursday was the fourth annual Diversity Business Enterprise (DBE) Awards ceremony. The event awards women- and minority-owned businesses who do business with the city. It also recognizes city departments that regularly work with diverse businesses.
The city said in a statement that many of its contracts go to small businesses. Knoxville awards $50 million to $70 million in contracts every year. In the last fiscal year, roughly 1 in 3 of those city dollars went to small businesses.
The following businesses won awards:
- Borderland Tees, Rising Star Award
- Service One, Above and Beyond Award
- Pioneer Builders, Inc., Minority-owned Business of the Year Award
- A-Z Office Resources, Inc., Woman-owned Business of the Year Award
- Washing Equipment of Tennessee, Small Business of the Year Award
- Knoxville Spring Service, Impact Award
- Siemens Mobility, Andrews Electric, and Edwards Supply Co., Partnership Award
The following Knoxville departments and employees won awards:
- Sustainability, Plans Review & Inspections / Codes Enforcement, and the 311 Center for Service Innovation received Advocate Awards for their outreach efforts to women- and minority-owned businesses.
- Ben Buckner, Public Service’s Logistics and Supply Manager, received an Employee Advocate of the Year Award.
- Linda Blackburn, Senior Buyer in Finance, also received an Employee Advocate of the Year Award.