The County of San Diego earned the Award of Excellence-Grand Prize from the California Association for Local Economic Development for its Economic Prosperity through Innovative Contracting initiative, a community‑driven effort to make government contracting more accessible and equitable for local small businesses.
Built with input from nearly 400 community organizations, the Economic Prosperity through Innovative Contracting (EPIC) initiative reshaped how the County invests its $2 billion in annual purchasing power. The County set a goal of directing 25% of its contract spending, equaling more than $500 million each year, to small and diverse businesses. Early results show the approach is working. Small‑local participation grew from 12% to nearly 21% in less than a year.
The California Association for Local Economic Development, the organization that gave the award to the County, is a statewide professional organization that supports and advances economic development efforts by providing training, resources, and advocacy for local governments and practitioners across California.
County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe said the award reflected an important County effort.
“Transforming our contracting system wasn’t just about policy — it was about equity and accountability,” Steppe said. “EPIC’s success proves that when we align our spending with our values and listen to the voices of small businesses and community partners, we can expand opportunity while strengthening our local economy.”
Guided by what residents, nonprofits and business owners said they needed, the County expanded its definition of small business, created a new Social Equity Enterprise category, strengthened subcontracting requirements and increased the local preference to help smaller firms compete. The County also launched new support programs, including training, bonding and insurance assistance, and hands‑on compliance help so businesses can grow and succeed.
EPIC reflects the County’s commitment to building a more inclusive economy — one where small businesses can scale, hire locally and keep wealth in the community. The California Association for Local Economic Development recognized the program as a model for how procurement, when shaped by community voices, can drive economic opportunity across an entire region.
