The East Tennessee Purchasing Association’s Diversity Business Alliance is making efforts to improve its directory of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including minority-, woman- and veteran-owned small businesses.

The committee created the database to assist with outreach and increase expenditures with diverse businesses. It plans to improve the catalogue by updating current participants’ contact information and registering new business owners.

“This is an opportunity for disadvantaged businesses to increase exposure to opportunities with local government agencies,” said Pamela Cotham, assistant purchasing agent in the City of Knoxville’s Small Business and Diversity Outreach Office. “We encourage all owners of small DBEs to consider the benefits of the directory and join our growing list of participants.” Business owners can update their information or join the database through a link at https://etpanews.org/Diversity. Representatives from the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service will contact each business to ensure data accuracy.

Diversity Business Alliance agencies include the City of Knoxville, Knox County, UT, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC), Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, Blount County, Public Building Authority and Knoxville Utilities Board.

The East Tennessee Purchasing Association seeks to establish relationships among its members for the development of efficient procurement methods and practices in public institutional procurement. For more information, visit http://www.etpanews.org.