Henrico EDA works to create more opportunities for SWaM businesses

The Henrico Economic Development Authority is working with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity and Henrico’s supplier relations manager, Jeff Conley, to expand its supplier diversity policies and create more opportunities for small, women-owned and minority-owned (or SWaM) businesses.

Conley created a two-pronged approach for the EDA to carry out its inclusivity efforts. The first part involves a member of the EDA’s 10-person board meeting with new and existing Henrico companies to discuss supply, chain and contractor needs and form a connection so that businesses can access the services needed through SWaM businesses.

The second involves collaboration between the EDA and the Henrico Purchasing division to host webinars to educate local business owners and officials about what it takes to become SWaM-certified.

The EDA encouraged Henrico businesses that were in an economic development agreement with the EDA to connect with SWaM vendors in 2018, but the organization decided to do more in the context of the pandemic, EDA Executive Director Anthony Romanello said.

“2020 was certainly a year for reflection for all of us,” Romanello said. “We started thinking about how we were making a difference, what ways we were contributing to the community, and the more we thought about it, we came to realize that there was more that the EDA could do in partnership with Jeff to assist small and women and minority-owned businesses.

“This two-pronged approach that we've begun to take, starting in 2020 and now moving forward, is . . . more intentional [than previous work].”

The effort, he said, is designed to provide more proactive attention to businesses that are considering Henrico – and even to connect them to SWaM vendors.

Conley’s position as Henrico’s supplier relations manager (a role he has served for almost four years) is unique among surrounding localities because of its specificity, he said.

“My role is 100% dedicated to supplier relations and advocating on behalf of our SWaM businesses,” he said. “It's all I do. I sit in purchasing, I have access to the buyers. That can be a very intentional focus, unlike in some other areas where it's part of a person's job.

“We partner very closely, particularly with the Commonwealth, and also our other localities. We learn from each other, best practices, and how we can do better.”

The increased focus from Henrico is welcome news to Shirley Crawford, the executive director and co-founder of Women’s Business Center RVA, a SWaM business in Willow Lawn that provides female entrepreneurs with resource tools and seminar sessions to succeed in business. The business started in September 2018.

“Supplier diversity is long overdue,” Crawford said. “As a matter of fact, right now I’m serving on a taskforce that's coming up with a report to be able to understand the disparities that, in particular, African American and women entrepreneurs experience in the Richmond ecosystem and, when it comes to business and lending, what are the things that are missing to help that population be more successful.

“So, the need is most definitely there. I am sad that it took racial disruptions and people dying for our country to be more aware of the fact that there is a need, but I am glad to know that at least one positive outcome are these types of initiatives.”