Chesterfield, others, doing more business with women

Chesterfield County is spending more with women-owned businesses and companies inside the county line.

So is Henrico County.

The localities are doing so in part because of their diversity initiatives, officials say.

"I think it's a great idea," said Karen Allen, owner of Southern Police Equipment, a Chesterfield-based business that handles supplies to the county's law-enforcement agencies.

"Women struggle every day. I was the second female in the United States to do what I do, and the struggle was unbelievable, especially in a man's business," she said.

During the 12-month period that ended June 30, Chesterfield spent $10.2 million, or 6.7 percent of its total spending for the year, at women-owned businesses.

The county's purchasing department is responsible for paying for commodities, services, and construction for county government and public schools.

"The diversity policy has a number of guidelines and suggestions that help us to reach out to minority, women-owned and Chesterfield businesses," Purchasing Director Mike Bacile said.

Buying products and paying for services from businesses inside the county also stood at a record high in the 12 months that ended June 30 -- $29.4 million, or 19.2 percent of total expenditures.

In conjunction with the county's diversity policy, Bacile said, his department and economic development department reach out to female-owned, minority-owned and local suppliers through programs such as Breakfast with the Buyers.

"They have an opportunity to ask questions about how to set up businesses in Chesterfield County and how to do business with the county," he said.

"It's a great way to network with those folks and help us think of better ways to provide opportunities for them."

Allen, from Southern Police Equipment, said she wished other localities throughout Virginia had similar policies.

"It gives you your taxes back, and it gives people jobs."

Henrico's initiative is similar, but it also encourages the county government to buy merchandise or services from small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses. The county adopted the policy in 2007.

Henrico spent $114.4 million, or 35.3 percent of the total procurement dollars, at small, women-owned and minority-owned suppliers. The city of Richmond has an Office of Minority Business Development, but figures for the fiscal year that ended June 30 were not yet available. Hanover County does not track vendors by demographics.

Contact Wesley P. Hester at (804) 649-6976 or .